Despite rumours and news floating around in various media circles, Udaipur is currently safe from the Corona virus as no known cases have been detected yet.

Two passengers who flew in to Udaipur from China, via Colombo and Bombay on 28 January, were screened for their samples.  The screening was done after health authorities were informed that 28 year old Rakesh, who belongs to Salumber, and is practising medicine in Beijing landed in Udaipur via Bombay.  The caution was exercised as infected persons were on board the flight which came in from China to Colombo.  Two more tourists who landed in Udaipur, viz. Subodh (30) and Lipsyana (39) have been taken to Maharana Bhupal Hospital in Udaipur to have their samples taken and tested.  The samples are now in Jaipur and if needed, will be screened in Pune as well. These two flew in from China to Udaipur via Calcutta.

Udaipur's RNT Medical College is now fully equipped to screen and handle Corono suspects and infected persons.  A ward above the Swine Flu section at MB Hospital has been isolated for this purpose.  Broncoscopy samples of suspects will be collected and sent to Jaipur and then, if required, to Pune for confirmation or otherwise.

Ironically, there is no testing facility in the whole state of Rajasthan, and confirmatory tests will only be done in Pune.  This entire exercise ideally takes two days, till which the suspects need to stay in isolation.  Tourists are not willing to stay in isolation for two days till the results are declared.

Department of Health of Rajasthan government has issued directives to units and hospitals across all districts in the state to equip their areas with testing and treatment facilities.  Idenfication, isolation and taking samples of suspects is in place in RNT Medical College and Hospital. Suspects will be isolated in a ward above the Swine Flu ward in MB Hospital.  Dr RL Suman, Superintendent of RNT Medical College, Udaipur has informed that no cases of Corona Virus have been confirmed as yet in Udaipur.

In all, 80 patients across 18 countries (exculding China) have been confirmed being infected with the Corona Virus. Asian countries have confirmed positive cases where Japan has confirmed 11 cases, Thailand 14, Singapore 10 and South Korea - 4.  Additionally 7 patients each have been confirmed as infected in Australia and Malaysia, 5 each in USA and France, 4 each in Germany and UAE and 3 in Canada.

Corona Virus falls under the COV category and is symptomised with cough and cold, fever and difficulty in breathing. Suspects are isolated and sample of water from the lungs and Broncosopy samples are sent for testing.  This was informed by Dr Mahesh Dave, Department of Medicine, RNT Medical College. The disease spreads through touch and coughing and sneezing in open.