The All India Institute of Medical Sciences in the national capital has set up an isolation ward and kept beds ready for providing treatment to any suspected case of novel coronavirus infection.
Novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from the common cold to acute respiratory syndromes, but the virus that has so far killed 25 people and affected 830 in China is a novel strain and not seen before.
It emerged from a seafood and animal market in China's Wuhan, and is suspected to have spread to as far as the United States.
According to the World Health Organisation, the common symptoms of the novel coronavirus strain include respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria said, "We have an isolation ward and we have beds kept ready for providing care and treatment for suspected coronavirus cases in Delhi or elsewhere in India."
"All precautionary measures -- in terms of personal protection equipment for healthcare workers to prevent the spread of the disease while treating infected patients -- are in place."
Guleria said that hospital preparedness with regard to management and infection prevention control facilities has been also reviewed. "If need be, we have the capacity to increase our isolation ward facilities and provide treatment to such patients."