Coronavirus: Over 600 Indians evacuated from China

640 Indians have been evacuated from China, and 10 other Indians have indicated that they want to return from China but were unable to clear the health screening process.  

New Delhi: On February 6, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the government has evacuated 640 Indians from coronavirus-hit China. Addressing the media, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said apart from those evacuated, 10 other Indians have indicated that they want to come back from China, but were unable to clear the health screening process.

"We are in regular contact with them and exploring all possibilities for their return," Kumar said. In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, normal visas and all existing e-visas from China that have been issued are no longer valid, he said.

Meanwhile, three persons have tested positive for the fatal coronavirus in India. The third confirmed coronavirus case in India is of a student who came back from Wuhan. All three confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported from Kerala.

The virus originated in Wuhan in China's Hubei province in December and has since then spread to various parts around the world.

China has imposed quarantine and travel restrictions, affecting the movement of 56 million people in more than a dozen cities, amid fears that the transmission rate will accelerate.

What is coronavirus:

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, which cause illnesses to people and also circulate in animals including camels, cats and bats. Animal coronaviruses can also evolve and infect people.

Symptoms of coronavirus:

High fever, breathing difficulty are the symptoms of coronavirus. Detection becomes difficult if the person is suffering from flu or cold.