Hyderabad: Novel Coronavirus (nCov) that originated in Wuhan City of Hubei province, China has spread to other parts of the world. It also claimed many lives.
After it reached the Indo-Nepal border, fear of an outbreak of the virus in India is increasing.
No lab to detect Coronavirus
Despite increasing fear of an outbreak of the virus, it is very surprising that Telangana State has no laboratory to test samples to detect the virus.
It may be mentioned that after the outbreak of the Nipah virus, a plan was made to upgrade the laboratory at the Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) from biosafety level 2 (BSL 2) to BSL level 3. However, the plan remained on paper.
Laboratory at BSL 2 cannot performing testing of contagious viruses such as Nipah, Zika, Corona etc.
Isolation Ward
Some of the states have even set up isolation facilities in the hospitals.
In Hyderabad too, an isolation ward has been set up in Fever Hospital to treat suspected cases of Coronavirus.
As per TOI report, a three-member team from Center reached Hyderabad to check whether the City is ready to handle the suspected cases of the virus.
They are reviewing the preparedness of Fever Hospital and Gandhi Hospital. The team will check the location of the isolation facility, entry and exit of the facility, Intensive Care beds dedicated for Coronavirus patients, etc.