No findings of local transmission: Union Minister

New Delhi, March 19
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Thursday made it clear that there was no finding of local transmission of the deadly coronavirus outbreak in India so far but didn't rule out the possibility, suggesting to adopt precautions.

"There are no findings of local transmission (of coronavirus) in India, but there is a possibility. The disease entered into India from those who came here from outside the country. So, we should be aware and alert," Choubey said inside the Parliament premises.

His response came after the Indian Council of Medical Research on Tuesday declared that India has not yet seen community transmission of coronavirus and that the disease continues to be in stage 2 (local transmission).

The Minister also stressed on the need of consumption of sunlight between 11 a.m. to 12 noon, saying it will not only increase the immunity because it is a source of vitamin-D and also helps in killing virus.

Choubey said that the government has been issuing new advisories and taking all necessary steps to stop the spread of the disease which so far has affected more than 141 Indians across the country with three deaths.

He said that the affected people are being kept under quarantine facility and some are getting relief and some are confined.

Advising to adopt precautionary measures to deal with the infection, the MP from Bihar's Buxer, said people should avoid gathering, wash their hands before doing any work and maintain a distance of almost one metre while sneezing.

"There is a need to spread such kind of awareness among people to fight coronavirus. There are various dos and don'ts. We have issued many advisories regarding the infection."

A total of 184 confirmed cases have been reported positive in India that includes 141 Indians and 25 foreigners. Of the total, 15 have been cured so far and three have died.

The novel coronavirus originated in China's Wuhan city in December last year and has killed over 7,000 people and infected more than 1.50 lakh globally. China remains the worst-hit with 3,189 deaths and 80,824 confirmed cases of infection.