High court upholds ban on Dr Zakir Naik's entry into Mangaluru

Kasaragod, Feb 3: The third novel coronavirus case has been reported in India, with another Keralite student who returned from Wuhan University on Monday testing positive for the infection.

The medical student is in an isolation ward at Kanhangad government hospital in Kasaragod, Health Minister K K Shailaja informed the state assembly.

The condition of the student is "stable", she said.

Out of the 104 samples tested till Sunday, three have tested positive.

This is the third positive case reported from Kerala.

Two earlier positive cases, also of students who came back from Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, were reported from Thrissur and Alapuzha districts.

The minister made the statement in the assembly under Rule 300 in the wake of three positive cases reported from the state.

A total of 1,999 people, who have a travel history from China and other affected countries, are under observation in Kerala, of whom 75 are in isolation wards of various hospitals.

The remaining 1,924 are under home quarantine as per a medical bulletin issued on Sunday night.

The minister has made it clear that those under observation at home should keep away from public functions and should not participate in any events or go out of their homes during the 28 day incubation period.

Mysuru, Mar 7: Karnataka Minister for Medical Education K Sudhakar on Saturday said that State Government may consider suspending the touch-based Biometric time and Attendance system for its employees in view of the COVID-19 threat.

Speaking to media persons while inspecting the medical infrastructure at KR Hospital here on Saturday, he said that many IT companies have already suspended the Biometric Attendance system in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus. Given the threat perception, the government was also contemplating the same and would consider it. However, he did not specify the date.

With regard to the preparedness to handle the threat, the Minister said the government was extremely cautious since last 20 days and had taken all precautionary measures. “All international passengers at the airport are being screened and so far nearly 1 lakh passengers have been screened and anyone with symptoms will be quarantined for 28 days.’’

Bengaluru, Apr 27: A 50-year old coronavirus patient allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the fifth floor of a hospital building here on Monday, police said.

The patient jumped from the trauma ward of the Victoria Hospital, a senior police official said.

According to hospital sources, the man, who was admitted with acute respiratory problem on Friday, was also suffering from kidney problems.

This morning, he jumped off the fifth floor of the building, they said.

Further investigations are on, police said.