The Mizoram government has sounded an alert and constituted a task force in view of the outbreak of novel coronavirus in China, an official said on Friday.

He said a screening counter has been set at Lengpui airport and efforts are on to set up similar facilities on the inter-state and international borders as a precautionary measure. The move comes after a student from Kerala, who returned from China, tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, he said.

The official said a meeting of officials of health, home and other departments concerned, held under the chairmanship of health minister R. Lalthangliana on Thursday, constituted a task force, which will set out to check the spread of coronavirus in the state.

He said a medical team has been deployed at Lengpui airport and they were instructed to conduct regular screening of passengers coming from outside.

He said the home department has been tasked with setting up screening counters in border areas and the police force was instructed to remain round-the-clock vigil.

According to officials, no suspected case has been reported so far.

However, the government has rolled out a plan to send blood samples for testing outside the state if the need arises.

The government has reserved the lone medical college in the state, Zoram Medical College, for treating infected patients and medical staff have been alerted to take action in case of any emergency.

ZMC is located at Falkawn, about 16km from here.

According to latest reports, over 200 people have died and thousands infected by the deadly coronavirus.

The World Health Organisation has declared a global emergency.