Delhi govt forms task force to tackle coronavirus threat

The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has formed a task force to monitor & tackle the emerging situation due to novel coronavirus and said there is no need to panic. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi yesterday, Mr Kejriwal said the state-level task force will be headed by him. He said efforts are on to screen the people who came in contact with the infected Delhi man and 16 Italian tourists.

The Delhi Chief Minister said, a coronavirus testing lab will be set up at the Lady Hardinge Hospital and also at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital if necessary.

Mr Kejriwal said, isolation wards in 19 government and six private hospitals are being readied across the national capital in case of need.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has said it would increase the frequency of cleaning in its premises in view of the coronavirus outbreak. It has also issued do’s and dont’s in both English and Hindi regarding the virus.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) said it has formed two rapid response teams for screening of residents who visited coronavirus-affected countries after January 15 and has already screened 56 houses. The civic body has also asked all hotels and guest houses in the area to send report regarding guests coming from the affected countries or any person showing symptoms of fever or flu.