Student from China walked out of Srinagar Airport without screening for virus

We have now tested him, he is clear: Director Health

Srinagar: The health department was left scrambling early this week after it came to know about a Kashmiri student from China who had walked out of the Srinagar Airport without screening for Coronavirus.
According to official sources, there was no sense of alertness among the health department officials regarding the deadly Coronavirus till Monday, when a private airline official informed them about a person’s arrival from China.
The male student, who is pursuing MBBS in China, had arrived in Srinagar last week but there was no facility of screening available at the Srinagar airport, so he was allowed to simply walk off without screening.
“No doctor or paramedic from the health department was available at the arrival gate of Srinagar airport. So, the student went unscreened,” official sources said.
A health department employee told Kashmir Reader that after receiving this information, Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo, called an emergency meeting and directed the two health directors to increase vigil at airports. He also directed the doctors to identify the student traveller from China and test him for Coronavirus to rule out the possibility of the deadly infection.
“The department deployed medical teams at the airports three days after receiving the tipoff about the student. Alert was sounded by the divisional administration later on. Otherwise, there was no preparedness at the airport,” the employee said.
Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Samir Mattoo, said the student has been identified. The boy has been tested negative for Coronavirus, he added.
“We are closely monitoring the boy for any disease prevalence. Thank God he doesn’t show any symptoms of Coronavirus so far,” he said.
Dr Mattoo said the health department had already taken quick and strict measures to control any possible spread of diseases due to the Coronavirus.
“I can’t share any further details about the student but I can assure you that he is clear of the deadly virus,” he said.
Coronavirus has been declared as a global health emergency by the WHO as it has already killed more than 200 persons in China.

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