Coronavirus Has Made It To India & Here’s How You Can Keep Yourself Safe

Panic ensued after three new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in India on Monday. And as per the latest updates, 15 Italian tourists have been tested positive for the virus. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India now stands at 28. The news was confirmed by All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi earlier today. All of the Italian patients have been kept in preventive isolation at the ITBP facility at Chhawla, Delhi.

Amidst the looming COVID-19 scare and no concrete cure, it is always good to keep ourselves updated about the virus. Here’s everything you should know:

How many COVID-19 cases have been detected in India so far? 

While the initial three cases of COVID-19 in India were all from Kerala, the viral seems to be dispersing now with the three new cases coming from Delhi, Telangana, and Jaipur. As per reports, while the Telangana patient recently came back from Dubai, the COVID-19 case in Rajasthan is, in fact, an Italian tourist. The infected person from Delhi recently travelled to Italy as well. 

What is the COVID-19 Recovery rate in India? 

All three of the initially diagnosed Coronavirus patients from Kerala were discharged from the hospital last month after full recovery thus making it a hundred percent recovery rate for the initial three patients.

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What precautions have been taken to contain the COBID-19 rate in India after the recent detection of three new cases? 

• Six patients with “high-viral load” in Agra were quarantined at Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi on Tuesday. All of the suspected cases happen to be related to the Delhi patient and came in close contact with him after his return from Italy. The Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) network is being used to trace the people who came in contact with the six suspected cases. According to the latest updates, the initial reports of all six of the suspected cases have come out negative. 
• A school in Noida cancelled its internal exams owing to coronavirus scare after it was found out that the Delhi patient’s kid was studying in the same school. To add to it, two families were put in isolation after it was discovered that they had attended the student’s birthday party last week where the patient was present. Another school in Noida was also shut for a week as a precautionary measure.
• Other schools in Delhi have also advised parents to avoid sending their wards to schools in case they are unwell and show symptoms of the viral.
• Roommate of the Hyderabad SAP patient has also been put in quarantine. The Hyderabad hotel in which he was staying has also been sanitized. However, in another development, 36 out of the 88 people who came in contact with the Hyderabad techie after his return from Dubai have shown “some symptoms” of Covid-19. Forty-five of his contacts have thus been taken to the state-run Gandhi Hospital and the remaining (those who were not symptomatic) have been asked to work from home.
• On Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry also stated that all regular visas/e-visas granted on or before March 3 to nationals of Japan, South Korea, Italy, and Iran who have not yet entered the country, stand suspended in light of the latest developments regarding Covid-19. The government has also issued a new travel advisory so as to restrict unnecessary travel to China, Korea, Italy, and Iran. Individuals coming from Italy, Korea, and Iran would be thoroughly screened upon their arrival in India. Additionally, they might also be sent for 14-day isolation upon their arrival in India.
• On Tuesday, the Air India flight that flew the Delhi patient to India released an advisory on Twitter asking all the passengers who travelled with the infected person to take necessary steps and follow protocol. The tweet read:  “This is for the attention of passengers who flew on AI154 Vienna-Delhi of 25th Feb’ 20. One of the passengers has tested positive for #coronavirus. Please follow the protocol notified by the Ministry of Health regarding Coronavirus.”
• Hyatt Regency Hotel, where the Delhi patient dined on February 28 has asked its staff to stay in quarantine for 14 days. 

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How many Indians stranded in China have been evacuated by the government so far?

So far, India has managed to rescue 723 Indians and 43 foreign nationals by operating three flights to Wuhan. 

How is India working on the screening process for COVID-19 detection right now?

Delhi: While isolation facilities have been prepared at AIIMS and Safdarjung hospitals, all those who have returned from China are already being monitored in a dedicated camp in Manesar. 

Telangana: The state has announced a Rs 100 crore budget for screening and preventing a possible outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. To add to it, 104 helplines have also been established for Coronavirus-related queries.

Maharashtra: Kasturba hospital in Mumbai and Naidu hospital in Pune have been given guidelines for the required screening procedures and to work with suspected patients in the state.

Karnataka: A health unit has been stationed at the Mangaluru International Airport to screen the potentially infected travelers. The border districts of Mysuru, Dakshina, Kodagu, Kannada, snd Chamarajnagar have been out under novel coronavirus surveillance since three were tested positive in Kerala. 

Manipur: Five special centres have been opened in different border towns of Manipur as well as the Imphal International Airport to keep a close check on coronavirus threats. 

Mizoram: People entering India through India-Myanmar border are being tested at a special facility that has been opened in Mizoram.

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What precautions can we take to stay safe amidst all the COVID-19 scare?

• Frequently clean your hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your mouth and face while sneezing or coughing and wash your face every time you do that.
• Avoid non-essential visits to crowded areas.
• While visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, try and direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals. In case it happens, immediately wash your hands.
• Avoid coming in close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough.
• If you have viral symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty breathing, immediately seek medical care and share previous travel history with your healthcare provider.
• The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

With the World Health Organisation declaring Coronavirus a world health emergency, remember that this is no time to go lax with your health. Take all the measures you can, monitor your health, and get yourself screened in case you fall sick.

Featured Image: Twitter

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