Novel Coronavirus 2020 Outbreak – Should you be worried?

Is India at Risk of a Coronavirus ?

The virus is not spreading in India right now. You can only be at risk if you

  • Have travelled to China since January 1, 2020 and experience symptoms like fever, cough, or breathing difficulties.
  • Have come in contact with someone who has a travel history of visiting China since January 1, 2020.
Novel Coronavirus

What is the Novel Coronavirus?

Also known as nCoV, this virus causes respiratory infection and symptoms which start with a fever, dry cough and other cold-like symptoms. After a week or some, patients begin to experience shortness of breath and other symptoms which may need hospital treatment. The virus is itself a new coronavirus, a group of viruses which normally affects animals. SARS and MERS are the types of coronaviruses which have been known to be deadly to humans.

Symptoms of Coronavirus :

The symptoms of most Coronaviruses are similar to any other upper respiratory infection, including runny nose, coughing, sore throat, and sometimes a fever. In most cases, you won’t know whether you have a Coronavirus or a different cold-causing virus, such as rhinovirus.

How does the Noval Coronavirus spread?

This virus probably emerged from an animal source . Now, it seems to spread from person to person through:

  • Acts of direct contact like shaking hands, with a person infected with Coronavirus.
  • Exposure to droplets released in the air by coughing and sneezing of a person infected with Coronavirus.
  • Touching objects or surfaces used by a person infected with Coronavirus and, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes without washing your hands.

Can it be deadly?

The major concern is that when a virus is new, we do not know how it may affect people. As per currently available information, the Noval Coronavirus might have slightly higher fatality than previously identified viruses of the Coronavirus family.

Helpline for Indian :

The Indian Embassy on Thursday opened helplines and established contacts with the concerned Chinese officials to ensure food and other supplies for those who remained in the city. The Indian embassy also said that it had been receiving queries from Indians in Hubei province and their relatives in India in connection with the Coronavirus epidemic in China. The embassy is in touch with relevant Chinese authorities in Beijing and Wuhan and Indians in Hubei Province. The embassy has started two hotlines for those who wish to get in touch with it in this regard: +8618612083629 and +8618612083617.

If you seek any help or have a query related to this infection in India, please call helpline number (issued by National Center of Disease Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare – Govt. of India) +91 11-23978046

Recommendations :

  • Avoid any travel to China until the situation gets clear.
  • If you have travelled to China since January 1, 2020, self-report to the call centre and visit the nearest health facility if you are experiencing fever, cough or breathing difficulties. Do let the doctor know your travel history.

How can you protect yourself?

  • There is no vaccine for Coronavirus. To help prevent a Coronavirus infection, do the same things you do to avoid the common cold:
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Maintain hand hygiene
  • Keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Avoid close contact with sick people
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
  • Stay home when sick.