“India is all clear so far,” a senior Health Ministry official said on Sunday on the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (nCov) 2019.
“While China is on high alert, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called it a moderate level threat globally as of now,” said the official.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar tweeted that the Indian Embassy in Beijing is “constantly checking on health and well-being of the Indians in China”.
The Health Ministry maintained that no Indian citizen in Wuhan has been affected by the virus and that food and water supplies were available to them.
It added that the Indian Embassy has opened three hotlines and is continuing to respond to concerns based on available information.
“Total of 29,707 passengers from 137 flights screened. 4,359 passengers of 22 flights screened today. No case of coronavirus found till date,” said the Health Ministry.
The Ministry added that India has stepped up vigil in districts bordering Nepal. Health teams have been deployed at border posts with Nepal at Jhulaghat and Jauljibi, in Pithoragarh district.
Apart from Wuhan, 12 other cities have been completely sealed by the Chinese authorities to stop the virus from spreading.
In a rare move, the Indian Embassy in Beijing cancelled the Republic Day ceremony, over rising concerns of the virus which has spread to all provinces except Tibet.
Closely monitored
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is closely monitoring the situation, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
“In view of the large number of calls received in the two hotline numbers set up by @EOIBeijing in connection with the outbreak of coronavirus infection, @EOIBeijing has decided to open a third hotline number +8618610952903 ,” the Embassy said in a tweet.
The other two hotline numbers are 8618612083629 and 8618612083617 , the Embassy said.
The Embassy has also said it is examining all options and holding consultations with China to provide relief to the Indians holed up in Wuhan.
“Over the last two days our hotlines have fielded nearly 600 calls to respond to concerns regarding this difficult situation. GoI and @EOIBeijing are also examining all options, including through consultations with the Chinese authorities, to provide relief to our affected citizens,” another tweet by the Embassy said.
The reference to all options was seen as a pointer to explore the option to evacuate the stranded Indians.
