Kerala Students Ignore Coronavirus Warning, ‘Escape’ India; Is There Reason to Worry?

Two students, who had come from Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly Coronavirus and were under home quarantine in Kerala, have slipped out of the country and gone to Saudi Arabia, disregarding the directions of the health authorities to refrain from travelling during the incubation.

Kozhikode District Medical Officer Dr V Jayasree said the two students had reached Kerala on January 15. While they did not show any symptoms, they had been quarantined. Now, it’s come to be known that they left the country two days ago.

“We have informed the state control room. Our request to those under surveillance is that they should remain in isolation at home during the incubation period of 28 days, even if they do not have any symptoms, particularly those who have come from China,” Jayasree said.

State Health Minister KK Shailaja said the students would be brought back immediately. “No new cases have been reported. All those who are under isolation, including the three confirmed cases, are stable. Surveillance has been stepped up at all airports in Kerala, and health staff have been given training,’’ she said.

As the number of persons under observation in Kerala for suspected exposure to the virus rose to 2,421 on Tuesday, the state health department sent text messages to the quarantined: “Kerala is proud of you. You are the brave warriors who sacrifice your freedom for the protection of society. We have each one of you in our hearts and souls. Let us join hands for a corona-free state.’’

Meanwhile, a day after the Kerala government declared the outbreak as a state calamity, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have begun screening all passengers from the state.