Assam has so far screened 293 passengers, including 23 on Sunday, to check suspected cases of novel coronavirus, which has so far claimed 1,600 lives in China.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme state surveillance officer Minakshi Devi told The Telegraph that nobody was found infected by the virus. “Two persons, one in Guwahati and another in Nagaon, were admitted to hospitals with symptoms but tests for coronavirus infection proved negative,” she said.

Devi said district surveillance officers have been issued advisories about the disease.

Passengers who returned from China, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand are being quarantined at home. “They have been asked to live separately and report immediately if they develop any symptom of novel coronavirus.”

Assam had to send samples to Pune earlier to test for coronavirus. “However, of late, the microbiology department of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital has been equipped to carry out tests,” she said. It takes around 24 hours to conduct the test.

During quarantine at home, a person is kept under observation upto 28 days. “They are asked to remain in homes, live separately, maintain hygiene and minimum contact with people,” she said.

The health department has asked district hospitals to keep two beds and the medical colleges to keep five beds in isolation ward as a precautionary measure against coronavirus.