Bhubaneswar, Jan 31 (IANS): A medical student of Odisha's Kandhamal district, who returned from China recently, has been referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack after showing novel coronavirus-like symptoms, an official said on Friday.

The youth pursuing MBBS in China, the epicentre of the outbreak, is suspected to have been infected with coronavirus.

He has been referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital after he informed the Kandhamal Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) that he is suffering from cold and cough after returning to his home on January 11.

The case will be confirmed after he undergoes medical examinations at the SCB Medical College.

The medical student went to a Kandhamal hospital for a health check-up.

"I am suffering from common cold and cough 10 days after my return to home from China. Suspecting infections of coronavirus, I came to the hospital for a health check-up," the student said.

Kandhamal CDMO Rajashree Patnaik said the youth has been referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital as Kandhamal District Headquarters Hospital is not equipped with advanced facilities for medical examination to detect coronavirus.

"The youth is a final year MBBS student in China. He returned to home in Phulbani on January 11. As he is a medical student, he visited the hospital after he was down with common cold. He has been referred to the SCB, where his blood samples will be collected and sent to Pune for further tests," said the CDMO.