Cargo ship from China halted away from Vizag port for Coronavirus screening

The bulk carrier vessel named Fortune Hero had 17 Chinese and five Myanmar nationals onboard, according to the officials. The ship reached Visakhapatnam post Wednesday midnight. But, the officials disallowed it to the berth, though it had booked one well in advance.

A port trust official said the protocol issued after the outbreak of coronavirus requires thorough screening of the inmates for the virus before allowing the ships coming from China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore to enter the port for disembarking passengers.

Fortune Hero is currently anchored deep in the sea, about four to five kilometers off the shore. The master of the ship later sent a declaration to the port authorities confirming that none of the 22 persons onboard was infected with coronavirus. A senior health official, with all care, from the Port Trust (VPT) left into the sea to personally crosscheck.

CM Jaganmohan Reddy reviews preparedness

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy reviewed the preparedness of the health administration to tackle in case of coronavirus surfacing in the state. So far, no positive case was reported in the state. A total of 24 samples of suspected cases sent for lab test at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. Of them, 20 tested negative and the other four reports are awaited.

Health authorities advised those who had come from abroad to contact the officials or helpline No. 104 for tests. So far, a total of 361 passengers returned from virus-affected countries were placed under surveillance.

Awareness campaign intensified in Hyderabad, Telangana

Meanwhile, the Telangana health administration continued to be on alert. Awareness campaign was intensified. In Hyderabad, the techie, who tested positive upon return from Dubai, is undergoing treatment in quarantine at the Gandhi Hospital and is recovering. Those under isolation at home or in hospitals are under observation.

Telangana health minister E Rajender requested Union health minister Harsha Vardhan for supply of N95 masks and sanction of another coronavirus testing lab in Hyderabad. During a video conference on Friday, the minister explained the steps being taken to contain the spread of virus and also to create awareness among the people.