NDTV News Desk | Thursday April 02, 2020Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a total lockdown in India from midnight for 21 days to fight the spread of coronavirus.
- NDTV News Desk | Friday April 03, 2020
India must also straight away allow internationally-recognized testing kits to be used here - these are already in use in the USA and Europe (do not delay by waiting for Indian clearance).
- Written by Garima Arora | Sunday April 12, 2020
Coronavirus outbreak: Take necessary precautions. Practise personal hygiene and social isolation. Utilise this time to do all the things you never found the time to do earlier. Here are some more tips to maintain your mental health by Psychiatrist Dr Sanjay Chugh
- NDTV News Desk | Thursday April 02, 2020
Hopefully, you are following social distancing and not mingling, especially with large groups or in crowded places. Can wearing a mask help? Here's what doctors say:
- NDTV News Desk | Thursday April 02, 2020
People across the world are worried about the rising cases of COVID-19, a highly contagious disease caused by the Novel Coronavirus that was first detected in China's Wuhan in December last year. What should you do if you're feeling any little ill, flu-ish and you are worried that you have symptoms of coronavirus?
- Edited by Deepshikha Ghosh | Thursday April 02, 2020
Coronavirus India: Airlines have been asked to ensure distance at check-in counters and enough space as passengers wait for their flights
- Dr P Raghu Ram | Thursday April 02, 2020
With some 400 positive cases within a population of 1.3 billion, the burning question in the minds of many is whether India is under-reporting. Until a couple of days ago, there were strict, conservative criteria for COVID 19 testing.
We have scaled up coronavirus testing from 1,600 to over 1 lakh tests, today. In next couple of days, over 2.5 lakh tests will be done in a day.Amitabh KantCEO of the NITI Aayog- If we turn to the list of essential services, I would like to see the IT sector to be considered as an essential device. Naina Lal KidwaiFormer FICCI President
- Economic package is extremely important to fight the setback caused by the COVID-19.Niranjan HiranandaniPresident, ASSOCHAM
- We need to come together. I'm not with my family as I couldn't travel before the lockdown. Yami GautamActor
- Now is not the time to do things individually. Follow the command and regulations. With social distancing and hygiene we are trying to break the chain of the virus.Viswanathan AnandChess Grandmaster
- If I would have come to India, I would've put my family in danger as I could probably be a carrier of the virus. Such precautions should be taken at an individual level.Sonu NigamPlayback Singer
- If companies can accommodate labourers in their campus, we may consider to let them resume.Dushyant ChautalaDeputy Chief Minister, Haryana
- I'm staying at home with family as we try to promote the message of social distancing and staying home. Yuvraj SinghFormer Indian Criketer
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell.
How do I protect myself from this virus?
The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing. See basic protective measures against the new coronavirus for more information.
Are masks effective and when should I wear one?
Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19. Disposable face mask can only be used once. If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask.
Can I catch COVID-19 from the feces of someone with the disease?
The risk of catching COVID-19 from the feces of an infected person appears to be low. While initial investigations suggest the virus may be present in feces in some cases, spread through this route is not a main feature of the outbreak. WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share new findings. Because this is a risk, however, it is another reason to clean hands regularly, after using the bathroom and before eating.
Soap or sanitizer?
Soap and water is still the best way to clean your hands. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
How to wash with soap
Wash hands with warm or cold water. Lather soap to get it on the backs of hands, between fingers and under finger nails before rinsing off. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the time spent should be 20 seconds (or the time taken to sing the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice).
What is the right sanitizer?
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 per cent alcohol.
How to use sanitizer
The hand sanitizer should be applied to one palm before rubbing the hands together. While rubbing, the gel should be spread all over the hands and fingers, covering all surfaces until completely dry.
Can we use anything else to disinfect?
Cleansers and wipes are effective in cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces that are frequently touched.
Why alcohol-based sanitisers?
Alcohol is effective at killing different types of microbes, including both viruses and bacteria. Coronavirus is the type of virus with an outer wrapping, called an envelope, which alcohol can kills.
Is Vodka ok to use as sanitizer?
Despite many DIY sites and programmes suggesting it, vodka doesn’t have enough alcohol content to effectively kill microbes.
