New Delhi (NVI): As the number of coronavirus patients in India rose to 73, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Lok Sabha today that COVID-19 outbreak is a “matter of concern” and needs to be responded to responsibly.
The Foreign Minister also said that a medical team is being sent to Italy to test Indians for the viral infection. Those testing negative will be allowed to travel, he said while briefing the lower House of the Parliament on the latest coronavirus situation.
Jaishankar had yesterday informed Rajya Sabha on COVID-19 situation while asserting that the Central Government is committed for safety, security of Indians in Iran. 58 Indian nationals were evacuated from the coronavirus-hit country on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases reported in India rose to 73, with 13 fresh cases, including 9 from Maharashtra and 1 each from Delhi, Ladakh and Uttar Pradesh, and one foreign national.
While speaking on the pandemic in Lok Sabha today, Jaishankar said that the initial focus of the Government is to bring back Indian pilgrims stranded in Iran. The nature of their residency also increases the risks of exposure to the coronavirus, he said.
“Along with the pilgrims, the Ministry is also in regular contact with the Indian students in Iran,” Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar further informed that around 6,000 Indians are stranded in Iran, including 1,100 pilgrims from Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir.
The Union Minister added, “Given the scale of COVID -19 infection and its pressure on Iran’s own resources, a team of six Indian health officials has been deputed to Iran in order to set up testing and sampling facilities there. The first batch of 108 samples were received in India on 7 March. These were tested and 58 Indian pilgrims (25 men, 31 women and 2 children), who tested negative, were repatriated in special IAF C-17 flight on 10 March. ”
Jaishankar had also visited Srinagar earlier this week and met parents of some of the students who are stuck in Iran. He also shared with them in detail the ground situation and sought their understanding.
Jaishankar also spoke about the region where most of the members from fishermen community are located, mostly from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
“As a country whose citizens are spread across the world, this is a matter of utmost concern. At the same time, it is absolutely essential that people react responsibly and soberly,” the External Affairs Minister added.
Jaishankar said, “Meanwhile, the situation in Italy is also emerging as a cause of great concern. The Ministry has decided to make provisions for testing primarily for students/compassionate cases in Italy and collect samples for testing.”
“A medical team is being sent to Italy. Those tested negative will be allowed to travel and will be quarantined on arrival in India for 14 days. The challenge is growing by the day in Europe and we will respond accordingly,” Jaishankar said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic with more than 118,000 confirmed cases and 4,291 deaths in 114 countries.
