IEDCR urges private hospitals to set up coronavirus unit
"Most of the foreign nationals prefer to receive medical treatment at private hospitals. Therefore, it is important to remain prepared with all necessary measures”
The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has urged private hospitals to set up separate coronavirus unit as a precaution if the novel coronavirus hits the country.
IEDCR Director of Professor Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora made the urge today during a regular press briefing at the institute on Tuesday.
"Most of the foreign nationals prefer to receive medical treatment at private hospitals. Therefore, it is important to remain prepared with all necessary measures," she added.
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The hospital authorities are requested to inform IEDCR about foreign nationals' arrival, she added.
"Though no coronavirus infections have so far been detected in the country, we have to be prepared with all necessary measures to battle the virus," she confirmed.
IEDCR also advised people to avoid close personal contacts such as touching, hugging and shaking hands to prevent the coronavirus spread in the country.
The coronavirus, believed to have originated late last year in a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife, has spread to Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as at least 60 countries across the globe.
Globally, at least 90,933 people have been diagnosed with the virus and the death toll reached to 3,120 till Tuesday.
