An eight bed ward has been set up at the Government Medical College Hospital in Coimbatore as part of the preventive measures against SARS. To meet any eventuality, nurses, paramedical staff and doctors have been asked to gear up, official sources said.

Equipment like ventilator, oxygen and masks had been kept ready and measures taken on the recommendations given by a 3-member panel consisting of the heads of the departments of medicine, microbiology and anaesthesia, they said.

All private hospitals have been asked to refer any suspected cases with SARS symptoms to the government hospital.