The Weekend Leader - Do’s and Don’ts of tackling Coronavirus or Covid-19: Expert

Do’s and Don’ts of tackling Coronavirus or Covid-19: Expert

Sofia Danish Khan   |  New Delhi

05-March-2020

Covid-19 or Coronavirus as it is being widely called has affected 90,870 people worldwide as on March 3, 2020. 80,304 cases were reported in China, with 2,946 deaths so far. With 72 countries being affected, the 28 confirmed cases of Coronavirus affected patients in Delhi has caused wide spread panic.

World Health Organization has assessed Coronavirus at high risk level globally. Dr. Roopali Rajput, Senior Resident (Molecular Medicine) National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease, New Delhi along with her team members Dr. Vikas Sood, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi and Dr. Jitender Sharma, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry, AIIMS Bathinda, Punjab have discussed the disease for the layman.

Confirmed cases of Coronavirus in India have created panic among the people (File photos: IANS)

“Corona Virus, is a respiratory virus that attacks the respiratory tract of the host organism. It has RNA genome and mutates or multiplies rapidly to produce multiple progeny within one replication cycle,” explained Dr. Roopali.

“Since the virus does not have any cross checking or confirmatory system, the progeny can be different from the parent. This is the precise reason why it has become difficult to have immediate control measures for this viral infection. The evolving nature of RNA virus has led to the emergence of this novel Corona virus that belongs to the same lineage of the previous Corona-viruses which caused SARS and MERS,” she added.

“It is more difficult for the immuno compromised people or those with low immunity. However, most of the cases have been reported in adults above the age of 30 and the estimated fatality rate is 2.3%,” Dr Roopali explained about the high risk group.

The incubation period of Coronavirus is in general 5-6 days with a range of 1-14 days. The symptoms that start showing are:

  • Fever
  • Dry Cough
  • Fatigue, Sputum Production
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sore Throat
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Nausea or Vomitting
  • Nasal Congestion
  • Diarrhea
Samples of all 406 people who arrived from Wuhan, China were tested for coronavirus last month


Since there is no treatment for the Covid-19 infections as of now, you can adopt the following safeguards to protect yourself:

Do’s to keep you safe:

  • Get yourself tested if flu-like symptoms persist or you have recently travelled to a foreign country or been to a crowded place.
  • Use steam inhalation, as it is the best way to safeguard oneself from infections and to avoid spreading it.
  • When you come home, wash your hands, feet, face with water and soap immediately. Change your clothes and get the used ones washed.
  • Keep alcohol based hand rub handy when you go outdoors, and use it often, especially before and after eating and before touching your face. Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes.
  • Wash your clothes thoroughly with detergents as they break down the outer layer of microbes.
  • Use a mask while traveling outdoor.
  • Keep a safe distance from people while going out. Avoid contact with people. Keep a low social profile.
  • Keep your immune system strong by having a healthy balanced diet, heavy breakfast and Vitamin C rich foods including citrus fruits. Also avoid outside/junk food.
  • If you suspect you might be suffering from Coronavirus, then get yourself tested and stay in an isolated place to avoid spreading it to others.

Don’ts in today’s time:

  • Do not go out in crowded places unnecessarily.
  • Do not touch your face, nose, eyes, mouth without washing your hands.
  • Do not touch railings, door knobs, surfaces and if you do, wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Do not rely solely on random home remedies or alternative medicines as there has been no known cure for Coronavirus yet. Seek a doctor to get best treatment.
  • Do not panic or spread panic by sharing unverified information via social media.

One can also get more information at WHO site, for authentic information on Coronavirus.

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200303-sitrep-43-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=2c21c09c_2

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters



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