In the wake of the novel coronavirus fears, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Thursday apprised of the situation of 402 people who have been kept in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) quarantine facility. He said that they have been tested negative for coronavirus, adding that their condition is stable.

Addressing a press conference, Harsh Vardhan said that the situation is being monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office. On part of the initiative by the Centre, all states have been informed regarding the guidelines.

Further, the Health Minister also said that three persons who were tested positive for coronavirus in Kerala are now stable.

“Ship Diamond Princess (of Japan) has been quarantined. 2 Indian crew members on board the ship tested positive. The Ministry of External Affairs is keeping a close watch on it.

Till date, 2,51,447 airport passengers have been screened.Screening also being done at 12 major and 65 minor ports,” Vardhan asserted. Further,India is sending medical supplies, equipment and other materials to China, the epicentre of the disease, as a goodwill measure.Meanwhile, India has reportedtwo new cases of coronavirus on Thursday. Two passengers who arrived at NetajiSubhash Chandra Bose International Airport from Bangkok have tested positivefor the novel coronavirus, Airports Authority of India officials said.

On Thursday, the number of fatalities and new cases fromChina’s coronavirus outbreak made a dramatic jump — with 242 more deaths andnearly 15,000 extra patients in hard-hit Hubei province. The leap is due to achange in the method of diagnosis, the authorities said.