Addressing the media, the official said the Health department was taking preventive measures on a war footing.

“The 394 passengers who arrived from China remain under observation, of which 68 are Chinese nationals. All of them are stable and do not show any symptoms of coronavirus. But we will monitor them for 28 days. Personal protective equipment, including body suits, masks and disposable shoes, are in adequate stock at GHs,” she said. The laboratory reagents arrived at King’s Institute from National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, on Friday and trial runs are being conducted. After NIV grants clearance, the testing can be done at King’s Institute, likely from Monday. Isolation wards have been set up at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) and Tambaram GH.

Woman under observation stable

The 38-year-old woman, who was put under observation at the isolation ward at RGGGH on Friday, is stable. Chitra, a resident of Marimangalam, had arrived from Hong Kong on Thursday night. “She had only mild fever and there has been no change in her medical condition that show symptoms of coronavirus,” said Dr Narayana Swami, medical superintendent, RGGGH.