A suspected patient of coronavirus admitted to the SMS Hospital is an Italian tourist, hospital officials learnt on March 2.

According to a travel agent, the 69-year-old man came with his group from Udaipur on February 28 and checked in Hotel Ramada. In the night, he complained of breathlessness, and was taken to a private hospital where he was kept overnight. The next day, he was shifted to the SMS Hospital where he was screened for HINI and coronavirus. His samples were taken and tested in the hospital lab but turned out negative.

On March 2, the patient's sample were again tested in the SMS microbiology lab and tested positive. A sample has also been sent to Pune for a confirmation check. Additional Chief Secretary, Medical and Health said that the medical officers have been instructed to screen all the places visited by the patient, including the local hotel and the private hospital. The Italian Embassy has also been informed in the matter.

Officials said that a guide informed them that it was a 20-member group which had come to Udaipur from Italy. Thereafter, they came to Jaipur and all his other 19 tour members have now gone to Agra. State Health Minister said that people of the state need not fear corona virus as the Medical Department is fully alert and prepared to deal with it. He said that the top officers and doctors of the department are monitoring all the arrangements daily, and periodic video conferencing and phone coordination are being conducted with the Centre from time to time. For people coming from outside, medical checkup is being done at the airport daily by screening.

The Minister said that till March 1, 161 flights and more than 23,000 passengers have been screened at the Sanganer International Airport. He said that 102 samples have been taken so far in the state, all of which were found negative.