Corona: CM Kejriwal in charge, forms task force to contain the outbreak
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Corona: CM Kejriwal in charge, forms task force to contain the outbreak

Stress on surveillance and screening to check the viral infection.

Corona: CM Kejriwal in charge, forms task force to contain the outbreak

New Delhi: In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the Delhi Government, on Wednesday, held an emergency meeting of the officials of concern departments and issued directions to contain the spread of the viral infection in the city state. 

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal directed Health Department officials as well as airport and municipal corporations to ensure that measures such as surveillance and screening are done to prevent the infection from growing to epidemic proportions.

After the meeting, the chief minister addressed a press conference where he said that his government stood up to contain the coronavirus. He informed that a state-level task force had been constituted in Delhi for this purpose and he would personally monitor the team.

"I, as the chief minister of the state and chairman of the task force, am personally monitoring the team. Members of all the important departments in Delhi, state officials, and police officials have been included in the task force," said Kejriwal.

He further said, "We have allotted responsibilities to separate departments and officials concerned. We have to work in an emergency mode to prevent the outbreak of the virus."

The chief minister informed the press persons that thermal scanning of all the passengers arriving from abroad is being conducted at airports and referring them to RML Hospital in case any symptoms are noticed. Until now, 1,16,579 patients have been screened at the airports.

"All the three MCDs, and the NDMC are contacting the hotels to reach all the passengers coming in from abroad and conduct screening on them. All the passengers are kept under observation for any possible symptoms of the virus since the virus takes 14 days to show signs or symptoms," Kejriwal said.

Presenting the data of overseas visitors, Kejriwal said 5,769 of them belong to Delhi, of which 4,445 have not shown any signs or symptoms until now. 

"We are trying to establish contact with the remaining 1,324 passengers. We have developed the capacity to handle an influx of patients in around 19 Delhi government hospitals, and six private hospitals, wherein adequate arrangements were also made during the outbreak of swine flu. Isolation beds and isolation wards are being created to provide adequate treatment," the chief minister said.

He also made an appeal to the people of Delhi to avoid large gatherings and crowded places. "I am not celebrating Holi this year for two reasons. One, there are families in distress due to the recent riots in the north-eastern part of Delhi, and two, the coronavirus threat. Cabinet ministers as well our MLAs will also not celebrate the festival this year," he added.