"Two persons who returned to Mumbai from China have been kept under observation at  Kasturba Hospital to an isolation ward after they showed the symptoms of the infection," said Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said. Further details about the persons kept under surveillance are awaited.

"The isolation ward has been created for diagnosis and treatment of persons suspected to have the coronavirus infection," said Dr Keskar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. "All private doctors in the city have been asked to alert us (the BMC) if they observe symptoms of the coronavirus in anyone who has returned from China," she added.

According to Kasturba Hospital sources, they have received detailed instructions from the Maharashtra government about the coronavirus and how to deal with the illness and they have been instructed to strictly follow them.

Thirteen Chinese cities including Wuhan, have been quarantined by authorities to prevent further spread of the virus.

Public transport services are also suspended in these cities.