Suspected case of 'coronavirus' reported in India

A girl from India's Bihar who recently returned from China admitted to the hospital on Monday after showing symptoms similar to the rapidly spreading "Coronavirus" which has already taken at least 80 lives in China and infected thousands globally.

"The girl was admitted to the ICU at a hospital in Chapra after she showed symptoms similar to coronavirus. Now, she is on the way to Patna, she'll be admitted at Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH)," said Vimal Karak, superintendent of  PMCH, reports India Today.

"After she reached to the hospital, her blood sample will be sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune for tests and then treatment will be provided as per reports. We are prepared for such a suspected case of coronavirus," he added.

In Jaipur, a man has also been admitted to the hospital for suspected coronavirus infection, Medical Superintendent DS Meena confirmed on Sunday.

The patient pursued a medical degree in China but had come to Jaipur for a postgraduation course. His exact age could not be immediately ascertained.

Health Minister Raghu Sharma has directed health officials to keep the patient in an isolation ward and get his family screened too, it was learnt.

Directions have also been issued to send the samples collected from the patient to Pune's National Virology Laboratory.

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said no case of the virus has been reported yet in India so far while adding that a total of 4,359 passengers arriving from 22 flights were screened for the illness till Sunday.

The Health Minister has also urged the Central Government to conduct a full screening of suspected persons arriving from international airports.