No SARS suspect will be discharged: Sushma

Providing details of the joint action group, she said the core group would exchange information and would keep a check on the surveillance mechanism in the states. The group is likely to be headed by the Union Health Secretary, S.K. Naik and will have DGHS, DG-ICMR and director NICD as members of the group with representatives from five states where most of the international flights land and joint secretaries of the port authorities and civil aviation as members of the group.

‘‘The states include Delhi, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and West Bengal as they have a large influx of foreign tourists,’’ she said. The decision was reached at a meeting with health authorities of all states except Jharkhand. The meeting was attended by the state health secretaries and director general health services.

Swaraj also promised new measures including heightened vigilance against the spread of the disease. Directions have also been given to make screening compulsary at the international airports, and the Union Civil Aviation authorities have been directed to provide protective masks to all the people working at the international airports. So far only immigration and customs officials could be seen sporting masks.

‘‘Three-layered surgical masks would be supplied to all the employees at the major international airports and sea ports. A total of 871-masks priced at Rs 80 each and N-95 masks (Rs 230 each) would be provided to doctors and paramedical staff in close contact with passengers,’’she said.

Exhibiting some special isolation masks developed by DRDO costing Rs 2,000 each, she said about 5 to 10 pieces are likely to be supplied to each state.