Jaipur's suspected coronavirus patient's report negative

The report of a suspected coronavirus patient, quarantined at SMS Hospital here since Sunday, came negative from National Virology Lab, Pune, giving much relief to the medical and health department of Rajasthan. However, another sample of the patient will be sent to the same laboratory by the department to ensure there is no chance of any error.

Speaking to , Dr D.S. Meena, medical superintendent, SMS Hospital, said, "As per directions, we will send another samples to Pune and once the report comes in, will take decision for the patients' discharge from hospital. Till then, the patient will stay in hospital.

The other sample will be sent to Pune on Wednesday itself, he said.

The patient, who is a resident of Sanganer in Jaipur, is a medical student studying in China.

Additional chief secretary health and medical department, Rohit Kumar Singh on Wednesday confirmed that the other 18 people of Rajasthan who returned to India after travelling to China recently were also healthy.

Singh further said that directions have been issued to take a second sample of admitted patients.

He informed that adequate arrangements have been made for prevention, control, treatment and investigation of coronavirus in the state. Screening has started at the airport from January 28. Five doctors and 5 nursing staff have been deployed for screening at Sanganer International Airport. Coronavirus-related symptoms have not been detected in a total of 554 passengers after screening of four flights on January 28 night.

Singh informed that adequate amount of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit and N95 Mask are available for health workers. He has instructed the concerned authorities to purchase additional PPE kits. He informed that the temperature of passengers is being measured with a digital thermometer. Passengers are getting self-declaration form filled, he added.

( With inputs from IANS )