Coronavirus: Nurse in Saudi Arabia first Indian to be infected
Confusion prevailed on Thursday as to an 'infected' Indian nurse in a Saudi Arabian hospital. Minister of State (External Affairs) V Muraleedharan posted a tweet from his official Twitter handle saying that one of "About 100" nurses tested for Wuhan coronavirus was found to be infected. However, Indian Consulate General in Jeddah quoted chairman of Saudi Arabia's Scientific Regional Infection Control Committee to convey that the nurse did not suffer from 2019-NCoV (Wuhan) virus.
"Dr Tarik Al Azraqi, Chairman, Scientific Regional Infection Control Committee, Aseer Region, has confirmed that d Indian Nurse being treated at Aseer National Hospital is suffering from MERS-CoV & not 2019-NCoV (Wuhan). We request everyone to refrain from sharing incorrect info," read the tweet
"Update from @CGIJeddah : About 100 Indian nurses mostly from Kerala working at Al-Hayat hospital have been tested and none except one nurse was found infected by Corona virus. Affected nurse is being treated at Aseer National Hospital and is recovering well." read V Muraleedharan's earlier tweet which was posted before the clarification from Indian Consulate General in Jeddah.
Coronavirus, outbreak of which has been centred in Wuhan city in China's Hubei province has claimed 17 victims in China so far.
Travellers coming to India from China are being screened for Coronavirus infection. Ministry of Health on Thursday said that no infected person has been detected in India and that more than 12 thousand travellers have undergone medical screening at different airports in the country. The Ministry has already issued advisory in connection with Coronavirus.
CURRENT SITUATION IN CHINA, THE ORIGIN OF CORONAVIRUS:
Wuhan city in China's Hubei province is the epicentre of Coronavirus outbreak. Officials of Hubei Health Commission on Thursday addressed media wearing protective masks. They said that they are keeping an eye on animal sector, online food sector as well as the availability of masks and other medical aids.
It is being suspected that Coronavirus has transmitted to humans from animals, especially snakes.
Wuhan city, home to 11 million people, has been sealed off. The train station and airport in Wuhan have been shut down and ferry, subway and bus service have been halted.
Authorities announced similar measures would take effect Friday in the nearby cities of Huanggang and Ezhou. In Huanggang, theaters, internet cafes and other entertainment centers were also ordered closed.
Coronavirus scare has reached Chinese capital Beijing as well. Officials on Thursday cancelled “major events" indefinitely, including traditional temple fairs that are a staple of holiday celebrations, in order to “execute epidemic prevention and control.” The Forbidden City, the palace complex in Beijing that is now a museum, announced it will close indefinitely on Saturday.
(With AP inputs)
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