EFFECT OF CORONA IN INDIA

                EFFECT OF CORONA IN INDIA 

On Sunday, January 19, News18 reported that Preeti Maheshwari, an Indian school teacher working in Shenzhen, China, became the first foreigner to have contracted the virus. The same report also mentions that over 500 Indian students study in medical colleges and universities in Wuhan, the city where the virus outbreak began and from where most cases were reported. Given that this time of year coincides with the academic break for Chinese New Year festivities, many of these Indian students will have made or be making their way back home to India, each one possibly a host for the virus.

The Wuhan Coronavirus’ origins in China are troubling not only because of China’s proximity to India, but also because of China’s shoddy record of containing such pandemic viral outbreaks through state intervention and international cooperation. “During the SARS outbreak, Chinese authorities initially downplayed the dangers and censored coverage, preventing people from realising the severity of the virus and taking action in time to stop its spread,” reads a CNN report while detailing why China’s track record in fighting such diseases is less-than stellar.

Already, there is cause for concern. While initial reports stated the virus was unlikely to spread between humans, Chinese health authorities have now said there is “definitely human-to-human transmission.” Now, armed with that information and the knowledge of how public places in India are composed of basically 99 pe rcent teeming crowds, you start to feel apprehensive about what would happen if a contagious and possibly lethal virus were added to the mix.

The rapid spread of the flu-like virus that originated in China has rattled governments and investors around the world. Concerns about the impact of the virus on the world economy sent stocks, oil and currencies tumbling on Monday. In India, the BSE Sensex fell 1.1% to 41,155.12 points even as the rupee hit a near three-week low against the dollar.

Granted, panic is an appropriate response to the words “global virus outbreak”, but let’s not abandon all hope just yet. We’ve seen SARS, we’ve seen MERS, we’ve seen swine flu, bird flu, and Zika. The emergence of these new, admittedly terrifying diseases lends itself to a doomsday narrative, but so far, modern medicine has been up to the challenge of containing them before they spread beyond control. So it’s all well and good to stay informed and alert, but remember, in a situation like this, the best thing you can do is wash your hands.

The rapid spread of the flu-like virus that originated in China has rattled governments and investors around the world. Concerns about the impact of the virus on the world economy sent stocks, oil and currencies tumbling on Monday. In India, the BSE Sensex fell 1.1% to 41,155.12 points even as the rupee hit a near three-week low against the dollar.

Indians don't need to panic about the outbreak of Covid-19 coronavirus.

Dr Rodrico Ofrin, Regional Emergencies Director, WHO, said there is no need to panic, as cases tested positive in India were because of travelling abroad, citizens' caught the virus on foreign land.

Whether the virus will subside as temperatures rise?

• Scientists don't know that yet, research still going on the same. It is a relatively new virus so gathering information on it will take time. Research on it is taking place 24x7, even as we speak there many experts across the globe are trying to figure out its evolution.

With 28 coronavirus cases in India, many Indians are worried a lot. Should Indians panic?

• There is no need to panic, the need of the hour is to get more trained doctors and nurses to treat the infected. We know India has come up with many centres, that's the way to go about it. Hospitals have isolation wards, those need to be activated as soon as possible.-/Dr Rodrico Ofrin

Are we prepared?

• Only government-run hospitals administer the COVID-19 test, which is free.
• At least 52 labs across India can test for COVID-19, according to the WHO.
• India announced the suspension of “all existing visas”until April 15, apart from certain special exemptions, diplomatic and employment visas among them.

What are safety measures?

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and throw the tissue away after use. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve, not your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• To the extent possible, avoid touching commonly used surfaces in public places like elevator buttons, door handles and handrails and avoid handshaking with people.
• Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.

Is it curable?

• There’s currently no treatment specifically approved for COVID-19, and no cure for an infection, although treatments and vaccines are currently under study.
• Other coronaviruses like SARs and MERS do have vaccines and treatments.

Some treatments for these similar viruses include:

• antiviral or retroviral medications
• breathing support, such as mechanical ventilation
• steroids to reduce lung swelling
• blood plasma transfusions

People have survived from Coronavirus so don't paneic here is one:-