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.