The deadly novel coronavirus has so far spread to at least 24 countries, including Germany, Australia and the United States. China has reported an increase in fatalities as the virus has claimed over 500 lives. Nearly 25,000 infection cases have been reported.

The Indian government on Monday set up a task force to monitor the situation arising out of the novel coronavirus with representatives from the Ministries of Health, Home, Civil Aviation and Women and Child Development, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said.

The virus originated in Wuhan in December and has since then spread to various cities around the world.

Here are the latest updates from India of the deadly coronavirus:

Beijing working hard to ensure safety of Indians in country, says China ambassador

China hoped that India will not put trade restrictions and limit movement of people to the country in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic in its Hubei province.

In an interview to PTI, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said China's foreign ministry and local governments are working hard to ensure the safety of Indians and people working in Indian diplomatic missions in China.

Admitting that there could be a short-term impact of the epidemic on China’s economy, he said the country’s internal resilience is growing and it has ample resources and policy tools to cope with economic volatility.

DGCI approves 'restricted use' of anti-HIV drugs on nCoV patients

The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) today approved the "restricted use" of a combination of drugs used widely for controlling HIV infection in public health emergency for treating those affected by novel coronavirus (nCoV).

According to government sources, apex health research body Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had sought an emergency approval from the DCGI for the "restricted use" of the combination of two medications -- lopinavir and ritonavir -- for treatment of this respiratory ailment.

"We did our own docking studies and found that this could be a potentially useful drug against nCoV," an ICMR official said.

Delhi govt issues advisory on novel coronavirus

The Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi on Wednesday issued a public health advisory on novel coronavirus after the deadly virus claimed the lives of nearly 500 people globally and left nearly 25,000 people infected.

The advisory prescribed do's and dont's for the public to ward off any infection. The govt has also sets up a 24x7 control room for the citizens for any query related to virus, an official said.

"A round-the-clock control room has also been set up at the Directorate General of Health Services' headquarters to address queries related to the virus," said the official.

Virus fears prompt scrutiny of vessels shipping from China

At least 12 major Indian ports are screening ships and crew members arriving from China, Hong Kong and Singapore. At least 31 vessels and 1,045 crew have been examined since Jan. 27.

China gives top Indian auto show a miss over new virus fears

Hundreds of delegates and visitors from China did not attend India’s biggest auto show on Wednesday as countries scramble to halt the spread of a viral outbreak that has killed hundreds and infected more than 24,500 people globally, AP reported.

Indian organizers said they were unhappy over the cancellation by more than 296 Chinese delegates and exhibitors who skipped the event due to the outbreak.

“This is something which is very, very unfortunate," said Sugato Sen, deputy director general of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, which is organizing the show. “But you can't help it. Many other shows across the globe are getting affected because of this."

The weeklong auto show, which will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, officially opens on Friday. Some Chinese companies have said their booths will be staffed by Indian representatives or employees.

Over 5,000 under surveillance, says government

The Indian government today said 5,123 people were under home surveillance as a precautionary measure for coronavirus. Besides, Union Ministry of Health and Family welfare also informed that at least 741 tests for nCoV have been done so far.

"A total of 741 tests done for #nCoV2020. Of these 738 have tested NEGATIVE, and 3 found positive. 342 are under process. Also, 5123 people are under home surveillance," the Health Ministry tweeted.

The Union Ministry of#Health and Family welfare, on Wednesday, said that 5123 people were under home surveillance as a precautionary measure for #coronavirus. Besides, the ministry also informed that at least 741 tests for #nCoV have been done so far.



Photo: IANS pic.twitter.com/9lDzvBr4Uv — IANS Tweets (@ians_india) February 5, 2020

Earlier, the Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba held a high level review meeting to take stock of the novel coronavirus situation even as the government issued a new travel advisory that urged people to refrain from travelling to China, saying intended visitors from China might apply afresh for an Indian visa.

Toddler among two hospitalised in MP for suspected coronavirus

Two persons, including a two- year-old boy, were admitted to a hospital in Indore for possible exposure to novel coronavirus, PTI reported today.

According to the official, both of them had recently returned to India from different cities in China, where the deadly infection has so far claimed the lives of 490 people.

"A 19-year-old man and a two-year-old boy were admitted to the isolation ward of the Maharaja Yeshwantrao Holkar Hospital on Wednesday morning for suspected coronavirus infection," P S Thakur, superintendent of the government-run hospital, said.

They were hospitalised as a precautionary measure and their swabs and blood samples were sent to the Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV), he added.

The two-year-old boy had returned from Shanghai with his parents on February 1, Thakur said, adding that as coronavirus symptoms were not found in his parents, their swab and blood samples have not been sent for analysis so far as per the directives.

Man kept in isolation ward of govt hospital in UP's Balrampur

A 28-year-old man has been kept in an isolation ward of a government hospital here after he showed symptoms of novel coronavirus, an official said on Wednesday. "Jamaluddin, hailing from Utraula here, has been kept in an isolation ward after showing symptoms of coronavirus. We are taking care of him," Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr A K Singal said. Jamaluddin is a medical student in China and had returned to India 15 days ago. His sample has been sent to King George's Medical University in Lucknow, Singal added.

Cong MP from Kerala demands fiscal incentive to deal with coronavirus

A Congress member from Kerala on Wednesday demanded in Lok Sabha that the government announce a special incentive for the state where three cases of coronavirus have been detected.

During Zero Hour, Ramya Haridas (INC) said although the Kerala government is taking preventive steps, there is a need for more vigilance.

"It need fiscal incentive. I request the central government to announce a special package for the state and also send a full fledged team," she said.

Dharmabir Singh (BJP) suggested the government double the minimum support price for grains like Jawar, Bajra and mustard.

There is no need to increase rates for rice and wheat, he said.

Coronavirus fear grips Auto Expo 2020, masks all over

The 15th edition of Auto Expo 2020 kicked-off in Greater Noida on Wednesday amid coronavirus fears as one in four participants was seen wearing a mask. Although Chinese presence was minimal at the motor show, people decided to protect themselves. "We are from South Korea and due to the global impact of coronavirus, we do not want to take any chance. Though I wear a mask whenever I travel, this time, we are taking extra precautions," Jong who works with Hyundai South Korea told IANS.

Suspected case of coronavirus admitted to isolation ward of Haryana-based hospital

A suspected case of coronavirus was on Tuesday admitted to an isolation ward of Hisar's Civil Hospital. The suspected patient, Mohan is pursuing MBBS from China and had recently returned from there, said Hospital's Nodal Officer.

"He returned from China on February 1 and called us up on 3rd, after experiencing fever and sore throat. His samples have been taken. Results are awaited," said Rama Goyal, Nodal Officer Rapid Action Committee.

Mohan underwent a medical check-up at Delhi airport upon his arrival. Doctors have collected his samples which have further been sent to Delhi's NCD central lab and his reports are likely to arrive after three days.

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