Kerala to monitor all returning from coronavirus-hit countries

With the confirmation of the second positive case of the coronavirus in Kerala on Sunday, the state government has decided to closely monitor all those arriving from the countries which have reported the deadly virus, state Health Minister K.K. Shailaja said here.

In India, only Kerala has reported positive cases of the novel coronavirus.

"We have got the report of the sample sent from Alappuzha Medical College of a patient -- a student who returned from Wuhan, and it's positive. Since he was already in isolation, things are perfectly under control and he is stable. There is nothing to be worried," Shailaja told the media.

"It has now been decided that all those people who are arriving from countries where coronavirus has been confirmed, will be observed in their homes," Shailaja added.

She also pointed out that following the state government's request, the Centre has allowed the testing of samples at the laboratory attached to the Alappuzha Medical College. Currently, all samples are being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

"Sunday onwards, the testing of samples has started here and this will speed up things,", Shailaja said.

To date, 1,793 people are under observation in the state, of which 59 samples have been sent for testing and two have tested positive.IANS