Suspected case of coronavirus at PGI, Chandigarh; patient from Mohali

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 27

A suspected case of coronavirus has been reported from Mohali. Symptoms of the virus were seen in a 28-year-old man, who travelled to China on January 16 and came back on January 22.

Sources said after coming back to India, he went to Delhi a few days ago, where he developed uneasiness. He was rushed to the PGI after he suffered from high fever and headache.

Dr Jagat Ram, Director, PGI, said, “The patient has been kept in an isolation ward and he is under observation. His samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune.”

He said it was only a suspected case and the virus could be confirmed only after getting the report, which was expected within three to four days. Meanwhile, the State Surveillance Unit (SSU), Chandigarh, again issued an advisory regarding novel Coronavirus (nCoV) to hotels in the UT to maintain a record and immediately report all visitors from Wuhan, Hubei Province in China, other provinces of China, Thailand, Japan and South Korea for any suspected case of coronavirus.

No confirmed case of virus in India

The Health Department said no cases of coronavirus had been reported from India till date. All samples of suspected patients sent for testing thus far had been reported negative.

About coronavirus

It can make people sick, usually with a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold.

How it spreads

Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through the air by coughing and sneezing; close personal contact such as touching or shaking hands; touching an object or surface with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands; and rarely, fecal contamination.

Symptoms

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Fever
• Cough

Prevention

•  Avoid shaking hands, hugging and kissing on the cheeks
• Follow cough etiquette and maintain proper hygeine
• Washing your hands often with soap and water
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands

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