New Delhi, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, on Friday visited Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital in Delhi to take stock of the preparedness against the coronavirus pandemic in India.

"Our public health experts, including advisors in the Health Ministry and ICMR collectively worked as a team since the very first case was reported in China. That's why we are in a position to control this COVID-19 disease in India which has taken many countries in the world by storm," said Harsh Vardhan.

"The country will always be proud of your sacrifices. We will always remember your contribution in fighting against this pandemic," Harsh Vardhan told the healthcare workers there.

He said that it was a great opportunity to prove one's mettle. "Only in circumstances like these can we prove our calibre and worth. You have got an opportunity to be corona warriors. Take it as a blessing in disguise," said the Health Minister.

"It was 7 January when China had confirmed to WHO that a new strain of coronavirus had affected people there. On January 8, the Health Ministry had its first meeting of the group of technical experts in India. We started planning. On 17 January we had provided a detailed health advisory to all states. Later the travel advisories were expanded," the minister said.

He stressed on social distancing once again and said that the people of the country are cooperating in following it. "We will be successful in defeating coronavirus," he said.