Image Source: TRIBUNE

Five members of a Kerala family that recently returned from Italy today tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease, taking the total number of confirmed cases in India to 39.

Cabinet Secretary Rajeev Guaba chaired the 16th review meeting on Covid-19 and decided that aerobridges would be set up at international airports to transport passengers from the US, France and Spain too. Currently, aerobridges are being used to segregate passengers from 12 countries, including Italy, Iran and South Korea.

The Cabinet Secretary also discussed preparations to bring Indian citizens from Iran, the most Covid-affected country outside of China, along with Italy.

“The arrangements were elaborately discussed and the plan to bring Indians back from Iran is at an advanced stage,” a government statement said, asking states to step up surveillance. “Since the disease has spread to over 90 countries with more than a lakh cases worldwide, states and UTs must enhance community surveillance as per the list of passengers provided to them,” government officials said.