My entire family and I tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2020 and it was way worse than we imagined. Dad, grandpa, and mom had lung infections with dad’s case lying majorly on the critical side. A week of sleepless nights, countless health scares, and a lot of weakness followed. Tough as the time was, we survived.
Unfortunately, the second wave of the pandemic is already here and the situation is more inundating than ever. My social media is currently flooded with stories and posts describing the horrors of the pandemic. People are losing their loved ones, struggling to get even the basic healthcare facilities, and the system is collapsing. However, we need to stand strong in the face of adversity. Thankfully for us, there are people and organisations who are working tirelessly to provide us with some assistance in the trying times.
Yes, these are unprecedented times but the human spirit continues to persevere. Instead of getting disheartened, it’s time to prepare for the situation at hand and fight the virus. Well, you are not alone in this fight. We are all in this together and we have compiled a list of helplines and resource guides that will help us through it all.
COVID-19 Management Guide
With the current pressure on the medical facilities and professionals, it might be a little difficult to get immediate assistance. So here is a COVID-19 management guide that’ll help you determine the severity of your case and the kind of care that you need:
What To Do If You Have COVID-19 Symptoms
If you have symptoms, call the govt. helpline number: 011-2397 8046 (Toll-Free: 1075). The helpline service will note down your contact details and will contact you with the testing protocols of #COVID19. If you qualify as a case for testing as per the protocol, you will be tested at a #government approved-laboratory.
Alternatively, you can also reach out to the following helpline numbers listed as per the states and UTs in India:
State-Wise Helpline Numbers To Note
Andra Pradesh: +9108662410978
Arunachal Pradesh :+919436055743
Assam: +916913347770
Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Punjab, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, Puducherry: 104
Haryana: +918558893911
Kerala: 0471-2552056
Madhya Pradesh: 0755-2527177
Maharashtra: 020-26127394
Manipur: +913852411668
Nagaland: +917005539653
Odisha: +919439994859
Rajasthan: 0141-2225624
Tamil Nadu: 044-29510500
Tripura: 0381-2315879
Uttar Pradesh: 18001805145
West Bengal: 1800313444222
Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 03192-232102
Chandigarh: +919779558282
Delhi: 011-22307145
Jammu & Kashmir: 01912520982
Ladakh: 01982256462
Important Numbers For Telephonic Consultations
In case, you or someone you know is looking for a free telephonic consultation, reach out to the Indian medical association helpline: +91 9824385808.
However, the lines might be busy and to make it easier, below is a list of doctors who are available for a free telephonic Consultation (8 am to 12 pm every day)
Dr. Tushar Shah +919824385808
Dr. D M Bhatt +919320407074
Dr. D Doshi +919820237951
Dr. D Rathod +918879148679
Dr. R Gwalani +918779835257
Dr. D Kansara +918369846412
Dr. G Kamath +919136575405
Dr. S Manglik +919820222384
Dr. J Jain +917021092685
Dr. A Thakkar +919321470745
Dr. L Bhagat +919820732570
Dr. N Shah +919821140656
Alternatively, you can also reach out to healthcare professionals across the country for a paid consultation on Medanta and Practo.
Resources For Adversely Hit States & Cities
Here is an exhaustive list of COVID-19 resources for the adversely hit states and cities in India. From Remdesivir injections to homemade food, here is everything that we could curate for you all:
Delhi
The following carousel contains information on oxygen plasma, remdesivir, beds and ambulance availability in the capital:
Here is a list of Remdesivir distributors in the capital:
Mumbai
The following carousel contains information on oxygen plasma, Remdesivir, beds and ambulance availability in the city:
Mumbai is currently inundated by a heavy caseload and you can reach out to the following numbers to check about the availability of beds in hospitals:
The city is also struggling with a medication and vaccine shortage. Here are some numbers that you can try:
Lucknow
Here is a list of COVID-19 resources for those in Lucknow:
UP, Bihar & Chhattisgarh
Here is a list of COVID-19 resources for those in UP, Bihar & Chhattisgarh:
Gujarat, MP, Hyderabad, Chennai
Here is a list of COVID-19 resources for those in Gujarat, MP, Hyderabad, and Chennai:
West Bengal, Assam, Rajasthan
Here is a list of COVID-19 resources for those in West Bengal, Assam and Rajasthan:
Kanpur
Here is a list of COVID-19 resources for those in Kanpur:
Bengaluru
Here is a list of COVID-19 resources for those in Bengaluru:
Varanasi
Here is a list of COVID-19 resources for those in Varanasi:
Food Resources
In case you or anyone you know is struggling with everyday food preparation amid the COVID-19 struggle, here is a list of catering and food services that are providing healthy food at nominal prices.
Delhi
Mumbai
Aurangabad
Varanasi
If you’ve fully recovered from a verified COVID-19 diagnosis, the plasma in your blood may contain COVID-19 antibodies that can attack the virus and save someone’s life. This is called convalescent plasma and is currently being used as one of the most effective treatment techniques for COVID-19 in the country. However, when it comes to recovered people donating their plasma, there is still a huge gap. A lot of organisations in India are currently working to coordinate between plasma donors and receivers to bridge this gap. Dhoodh happens to be one the most efficient of these organisations.
How To Find A Plasma Donor
Here is how you can find a plasma donor in India through Dhoondh:
Step 1: The patient’s immediate family needs to access www.dhoondh.com and fill patient’s details. You’d receive a registration ID.
Step2: Get the patient’s prescription that states the need for plasma therapy and send it to plasmatch19@gmail.com along with the registration Id.
Step 3: The Dhoondh team will reach out to you as soon as a donor is available.
Alternatively, you can also reach out to http://plasmadonor.in/, http://needplasma.in/, http://plasmaline.in/ KAB welfare Foundation (9810063261) NDTV plasma donation initiative (feedback@ndtv.com, Whatsapp: 9910668811) for your plasma requirements.
Lastly, stay safe and don’t go out until necessary. If at all you have to go out, carry your sanitiser and do not forget to wear your mask!
Featured Image: Instagram