Three individuals were detained by the police in Kerala on Sunday (February 2, 2020) for spreading misinformation about the spreading of the Corona Virus(nCOV) on Social Network websites. The police will be tracking those people as well who forwarded the information. The Health Minister of Kerala KK Shailaja said the administration will take measures against people partaking in spreading posts containing misleading information and identity of patients suffering from the disease. Every district of the State is equipping to battle against the spreading of the Virus and preparations are being done in association with Municipal Authorities, the Panchayat and other Corporations.
The people who were held belong to the district of Thrissur where the first patient was identified and another person was arrested by the police from Punalur in Kollam District held for forwarding the information about Coronavirus infection. The visitors staying in hotels, resorts and home-stays under the tourism industry will get examined for the virus from China. The State Government of Kerala undertook arrangements with private hospitals for people conferred with manifestation of virus which is tainted. The awareness drive for Coronavirus will be created and sample testing for novel 2019-nCOV will be commencing from 2nd February onwards in the National Institute of Virology, Alappuzha.
The Medical College of Thrissur had released a bulletin about the health status of the patient, who is a student of Wuhan University and was tested positive. She is stable and in a satisfactory condition as of now.
Stock markets in China plunged as world’s no. 2 economy is virtually shut down due to the epidemic of Coronavirus as Shanghai opened with an 8.7 per cent low and the southern Chinese boomtown of Shenzen fell by 9 per cent. The markets of China were closed from 23rd January for the Lunar New Year holidays and shares in Tokyo and Australia were down about 1.5 per cent in early morning trading. The first reported death due to the virus happened in the Philippines, making him the first death outside China who was the resident of Wuhan and died after suffering from severe pneumonia additionally. The condition of the patient deteriorated in the last 24 hours which resulted in his demise and Philippines' hospitals are observing 23 people who have been kept in isolation in the hospitals with possible symptoms of the virus. The death toll in China has risen to 323 people and two thousand cases were recorded in 24 hours which raised the tally to nearly 17,205 worldwide. There are about 150 cases recorded in at least 23 countries and the Government of China has asked the European Union to help in buying medical supplies from its members.
The scientists have found that the virus is spreading like influenza faster than SARS and MERS; there is a growing consensus that it is enthusiastically transmitted but they are hesitant whether the virus will be calamitous or not. Whereas, the department of AAYUSH criticized to publicly prescribing Unani Medicines for symptomatic management of corona virus and certain Ayurveda and homoeopathy medicines to prevent the spread of infection. As the medicines aren’t available to control the spread of the virus, patients are provided with symptomatic treatment. Hence, the releasing of medicines by the department is irresponsible and dangerous without any hesitation.
Author: Asif Iqbal
