Things to Know About COVID-19.

Everything you should know about COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

According to the World Health Organization, Coronaviruses (CoV) are large families of viruses. Coronaviruses (CoV) cause illness varying from the common cold to severe conditions such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

As per World Health Organization (WHO), Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.

What are COVID-19 symptoms?

Common Coronavirus symptoms include fever, coughing, shortness of breath, and breathing troubles. In some critical cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, organ failure, and even death.

COVID-19 symptoms generally take 2-14 days to appear.

2. How does COVID-19 spread?

– It can spread through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

– If a person touches a high-touch surface or object that has been infected by the virus and then touches his mouth, nose, or eyes, he may get infected.

3. What precautions to take to avoid COVID-19?

So far, the best way to prevent and slow down the transmission of COVID-19 is to be well aware of the virus, the disease it causes, and how it spreads. Follow the guidelines laid down by WHO or the Ministry of Health of India.

These are the few precautions everyone is urged to take:

– Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

– Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes as much as possible.

– Remember to cover your mouth with a disposable tissue or your bent elbow whenever sneezing or coughing.

– Remember to wear a mask if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19.

– Maintain social distancing. Do not gather in large crowds.

– Stay at home if you are showing signs. Do not go to the hospital. Call on the official helpline No:

4. COVID-19 – Who is at Risk?

Anybody can get COVID-19 infection, but the elderly and those with underlying health problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are at most risk.

5. Is there a vaccine available for COVID-19?

There is no vaccine for the virus.

HOME QUARANTINE FOR INFECTED PERSON

According to directions released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a person living in the same house as someone who has caught the novel coronavirus must be quarantined.

Home quarantine applies for the following groups and members of their family:

• Close contacts of confirmed cases of COVID-19.
• People who visited the countries that are quarantined.

People who are in quarantine and who develop symptoms of respiratory infection should be in-home isolation until they are healthy, and for a minimum of 14 days after quarantine begins.

Please follow the below-mentioned things:

COVID-19 DO’S

1. The patient must stay in a well-ventilated room with an attached/separate toilet. If another member of the family needs to stay in the same room, it’s essential to maintain a safe distance of a minimum of 1 meter.
2. Stay away from older adults, pregnant women, children & persons with co-morbidities within the household.
3. Wash hands as often and thoroughly with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
4. Wear a surgical mask all the time. The mask must be changed after 6-8 hours and disposed of immediately. Disposable masks are never to be reused.
5. If symptoms worsen (cough/fever/difficulty in breathing), he/she should immediately inform the nearest health center.
6. Masks used by patients/caregivers/ family members during home care should be disinfected using ordinary bleach solution (5%) or sodium hypochlorite solution (1%). After doing the above, dispose of either by burning or deep burial.
7. Clean & Disinfect frequently touched surfaces like bed-frames, doorknobs, Toilet surfaces, etc.
8. The clothes and other linen used by the patient of COVID-19 must be washed separately using common household detergent and air-dry.

COVID-19 – DON’TS

1. Avoid any social/religious gathering, e.g., weddings, condolences, etc.
2. Avoid using any Public Transport.
3. Avoid touching eyes, nose & mouth with unwashed hands.
4. Avoid sharing household items like dishes, drinking glasses, cups, utensils, towels, and bedding with other people at home.
5. Avoid taking medicines without consulting a doctor.

Instructions for Family Members of Home Quarantined – COVID-19

– Only an assigned member of the family should be tasked with taking care of the such person

– Avoid shaking the soiled linen or direct contact with skin

– Wear disposable gloves when cleaning the surfaces or handling the linen of the patient.

– Wash hands after removing gloves

– Visitors should not be allowed in the house

– If the person being quarantined becomes symptomatic, all the close contacts of the patient will be home quarantined (for 14 days). Upon that, 14 days will be added or till the report of such a case turns out negative on lab testing.

The home quarantine period is for 14 days from contact with a confirmed case or earlier if the suspected case turns out negative on laboratory testing.

Source: Government of India Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Directorate General of Health Services (EMR Division).

Your Safety is Important!

• Wear a mask when you are traveling by public transport and avoid touching your mask again after wearing it. Immediately discard the used mask as bacteria grow inside the mask if you wear them for too long and wash your hands with soap. If you don’t have a mask on the side, please cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing. Cover your mouth with a flexed elbow if possible. If you are covering the mouth with a tissue, throw the tissue away immediately.
• Wash your hands properly with hand sanitizer or alcohol-based rub or soap and water. Wash the back of your hands, your fingers, and under the nails properly for at least 20-30 seconds. Avoid using your hands to open doors as much as possible. We can carry the germs, and we might touch our faces. Use your elbows instead.
• Keep a distance from a person who is coughing or sneezing. Avoid crowded spaces if possible, as you may never know who the Coronavirus infection person is around you. Social Distancing is essential, so make sure to follow that.
• Whether it is your home or your workplace, keep your surroundings clean. Make sure to keep your work desk clean. Clean it with an alcohol-based cleaner or with soap and water. Also, clean the high touch surfaces.
• Avoid eating raw or uncooked foods. Cook your food thoroughly, especially the eggs and other meats. Try to have a healthy & balanced diet.

We Care!

At Care24, we understand that safety is of the utmost importance for the patient. Hence we are providing our employees, customers, and patients with everything to fulfill the highest standards of self-patient care. During the lockdown, our caregivers and nurses are working continuously so that you don’t have to stop yourself from getting the best healthcare services at home. We offer the following services at home:

• Caregiver Services
• Nurse at home

Connect with Care24

To get more information about our services, connect with us on our Facebook page or reach out to us at

MUMBAI- (+91) 22 6282 0555 / support@care24.co.in

DELHI (NCR)- (+91) 11 6126 0555 / support@care24.co.in

Keep updating yourself with authentic news!

We request you to follow authentic sources for COVID-19, like the World Health Organization and Government of India Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Directorate General of Health Services. 

Sources: World Health Organization and Government of India Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Directorate General of Health Services.