PREVENTION OF COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting hard globally. Due to the lack of definite treatment options and high transmission rates, preventing the spread of infection to protect ourselves and the community has become excessively incumbent.

Though there exist some predetermined common set of preventive measures that should be followed at home and at community levels, Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has also set guidelines exclusively for high-risk populations like older people and children, diabetes, hypertension patients, as well as for healthcare professionals and facilities, community workers and ambulatory service providers, etc. People from these groups need to practice extra precautions to prevent themselves from contracting the infection.

Common Preventive measures:

A. Personal Hygiene:

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place or after coughing and sneezing, after using restrooms, before eating or preparing food, after contact with pets, etc.

2. Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 % alcohol content in case where washing hands is not feasible.

3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick and have symptoms of flu, cold or throat infection.

4. Maintain safe distance while communicating with others.

5. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing or sneezing, or wear a face mask.

B. Cleaning and disinfection:

1. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as tables, light switches, countertops, phones, desktops, sinks, etc.

2. Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Clean hands with disinfectant after removing the gloves.

3. For disinfection, diluted bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with minimum 70% alcohol content or EPA-registered household disinfectants should be used.

4. All food contact surfaces such as utensils, cutting boards, and serving ware must be washed, rinsed and sanitized often throughout the day.

5. All non-food contact surfaces, such as equipment, counters, menus, tables, chairs, bathrooms, and doors should be cleaned of spills as needed and sanitized often. Wash, rinse, and sanitize non-food contact surfaces that employees and customers touch throughout the day.

C. Preventive tips for High-risk patients:

From the early reports of COVID-19 outbreak in various countries, it is evident that older people and those suffering from chronic conditions like heart and lung diseases, hypertension and diabetes are at higher risks of infection. In these populations, apart from the above preventive measures, there are certain additional tips to follow. These include:

1. Keeping a watch on warning signs such as

     Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath

     Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

     Fatigue or malaise

     Bluish lips or face

2. Avoiding crowds and non-essential travel plans.

3. Consulting the healthcare provider in case of any health emergency.

General prevention guidelines while dealing with suspected or confirmed diagnosis:

1. Immediately quarantine suspected individuals.

2. Inform the health authority at the earliest to facilitate prompt screening, triage or healthcare facilities.

3. Restrict the entry of personnel to the quarantined area to prevent further transmission.

4. Provide healthcare facility workers with appropriate personal protective equipment such as respirators or face masks, eye protection (goggles, disposable face shields), sterile gloves and gowns, slippers, etc.

Besides, adopting appropriate screening methods at crowded places like malls, schools, offices, and ports, and implementing essential healthcare standards is of utmost importance to prevent the spread of the disease.

Reference: 

1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
2. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.htm

The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting hard globally. Due to the lack of definite treatment options and high transmission rates, preventing the spread of infection to protect ourselves and the community has become excessively incumbent. Though there exist some predetermined common set of preventive measures that should be followed at home and at community levels, Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has also set guidelines exclusively for high-risk populations like older people and children, diabetes, hypertension patients, as well as for healthcare professionals and facilities, community workers and ambulatory service providers, etc. People from these groups need to practice extra precautions to prevent themselves from contracting the infection. Common Preventive measures: A. Personal Hygiene: 1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place or after coughing and sneezing, after using restrooms, before eating or preparing food, after contact with pets, etc. 2. Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 % alcohol content in case where washing hands is not feasible. 3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick and have symptoms of flu, cold or throat infection. 4. Maintain safe distance while communicating with others. 5. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing or sneezing, or wear a facemask. B. Cleaning and disinfection: 1. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as tables, light switches, countertops, phones, desktops, sinks, etc. 2. Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Clean hands with disinfectant after removing the gloves. 3. For disinfection, diluted bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with minimum 70% alcohol content or EPA-registered household disinfectants should be used. 4. All food contact surfaces such as utensils, cutting boards, and serving ware must be washed, rinsed and sanitized often throughout the day. 5. All non-food contact surfaces, such as equipment, counters, menus, tables, chairs, bathrooms, and doors should be cleaned of spills as needed and sanitized often. Wash, rinse, and sanitize non-food contact surfaces that employees and customers touch throughout the day. C. Preventive tips for High-risk patients: From the early reports of COVID-19 outbreak in various countries, it is evident that older people and those suffering from chronic conditions like heart and lung diseases, hypertension and diabetes are at higher risks of infection. In these populations, apart from the above preventive measures, there are certain additional tips to follow. These include: 1. Keeping a watch on warning signs such as o Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath o Persistent pain or pressure in the chest o Fatigue or malaise o Bluish lips or face 2. Avoiding crowds and non-essential travel plans. 3. Consulting the healthcare provider in case of any health emergency. General prevention guidelines while dealing with suspected or confirmed diagnosis: 1. Immediately quarantine suspected individuals. 2. Inform the health authority at the earliest to facilitate prompt screening, triage or healthcare facilities. 3. Restrict the entry of personnel to the quarantined area to prevent further transmission. 4. Provide healthcare facility workers with appropriate personal protective equipment such as respirators or face masks, eye protection (goggles, disposable face shields), sterile gloves and gowns, slippers, etc. Besides, adopting appropriate screening methods at crowded places like malls, schools, offices, and ports, and implementing essential healthcare standards is of utmost importance to prevent the spread of the disease.

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