Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases 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.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
The guidelines were issued after the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 rose to 39 in India. NCDC Director Dr Sujeet Kumar Singh, suggested people to not wear masks unless required as it gives a false sense of security to the people, and also builds a false narrative in front of the other people, that the person wearing a mask might be infected.
When to use a mask
• If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with the suspected 2019-nCoV infection.
• Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
• If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.
How to use a mask
• Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
• Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Sunday asked citizens of Thane to not panic and rush to buy masks in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Addressing an awareness program, Dr. Vedhas Nimkar, Joint Secretary of IMA’s Thane Chapter, said only those people who are advised to use masks by doctors should use them.
The Health Ministry appealed to the people to observe the dos and don’ts, coughing etiquettes, hand-washing and avoid large gatherings.
The doctors appealed people to wash their hands frequently, use tissue in case they sneeze or cough to avoid transmission of the virus and not touch unwanted surfaces in public areas.
