Srinagar: Authorities have sounded a high-alert at the two airports of Jammu and Kashmir to prevent any spread of Coronavirus in the region.
The health department has deployed special teams of doctors and paramedics at Srinagar and Jammu airports to screen suspected passengers for Coronavirus.
As per officials, the screening of suspected passengers has started from Thursday at both the airports following the directions by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare which has asked the J&K government to examine all passengers with influenza-like symptoms at the arrival.
“Those who are found positive must be quarantined without any delay,” they said.
Dr Shafqat Khan, the nodal officer for Coronavirus told Kashmir Reader that doctors and paramedics have been posted at both the airports along with epidemiologists.
“They will screen every passenger with influenza-like symptoms as per the guidelines of the health ministry and those tested positive will be isolated immediately at tertiary care hospitals like SKIMS Soura, SMHS Hospital and designated district hospitals,” he said.
The health department has also formed separate teams to screen students and other passengers coming from China.
“We have to take extra caution while dealing with those coming from China that is why we have formed Rapid Response Teams for that purpose. The teams are being supervised by the epidemiologists from Integrated Disease Surveillance Project,” said Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Samir Matoo.
“Students who are doing MBBS in China are expected to arrive in coming days. So, we have asked the teams to stay alert for any eventuality,” he said.
“The department is in touch with the Health Officers of all International Airports of India to get the updates about the arrivals from the affected countries so that we stay informed about the possibilities,” he said.

Manzoor ul-Hassan