Coronavirus outbreak: Paranoia around virus strikes Mumbaikars

Airports are on high risk Ice cream mat khilao bacchon ko Dont send ur kids to school if they are unwell These are just some of the messages on WhatsApp groups of parents in the city Paranoia around the virus seems to have struck citizensPeople are unknowingly creating a fear psychosis This paranoia will lead to panic where thoughts are influenced by anxiety or fear explained senior psychiatrist and former director of Mental Health Services Government of Maharashtra Dr Sanjay KumavatDr Kumavat explained that the H1N1 virus too had caused similar panic with people believing the common cold to be lethal had to be treated for anxiety I am concerned this will happen again with COVID19 being in the news every day People begin to believe everything on the news as true he saidExperts say people must maintain basic hygieneThere is also a lack of clarity from the government on preparedness and assurance to people about not panicking These need to be enforced through social media and other modes of communications he explained The positive side though is that people will be cautious and will maintain hygieneDr Pradip Awate a State Surveillance Officer at Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme IDSP shared similar views and asked people not to press panic buttons Anxiety adversely affects immunity making one more susceptible to diseases The State and Centre are ready to tackle any eventuality he saidSo far 167 patients in the state have tested negative for COVID19 Today we are more worried about social media infodemic than the actual epidemic We must understand that unlike SARS or MERS COVID19s mortality rate is around 25 to 29 per cent People tend to remember the number of deaths than the 97 per cent people recovering Moreover the virus is a concern for elderly people or those who are sick and with low immunity explained Dr AwateSenior physician and allergy specialist Dr Wiqar Shaikh emphasised on the need to have multiple centres to conduct the PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction test for COVID19 With only three centres Kasturba NIV in Pune and Nagpur conducting the test it will be a huge burden The NIV National Institute of Virology is already getting samples from all over the country We must be proactive especially since the virus has no treatment other than providing symptomatic and supportive treatment as per WHO guidelinesDr Om Shrivastava an infectious disease expert from Jaslok Hospital said The basic point is that if anyone has symptoms of cold and cough they must stay away from public places and avoid coughing or sneezing in public People must flush their nasal and throat secretionsIf apart from a cold and cough you are running a temperature and have difficulty breathing dont rely on self medication and consult a doctor The faster the detection the better would be the preventive measure to tackle the spread of any virus Dr Shrivastava added0202612 7394State helpline number for COVID19167No of people in Maha who tested negative for COVID1929Approx mortality rate of COVID19Masks not Essential Right now masks not essential for general public Masks have their own hazards Incorrect use may increase risk of infection Unplanned disposal a biomedical risk Use clean cotton handkerchief insteadWho should use masks Those with history of travel to affected places Those in contact with infected persons Those showing symptoms Medical staff N95 is only for medical staff treating patientsSituation in Maharashtra Travellers with fever sore throat cough cold and difficulty in breathing within 14 days of landing and those who travelled to affected countries China Hong Kong Thailand Singapore South Korea Japan Vietnam Nepal Malaysia Indonesia Iran Italy etc must visit isolation facility and get tested Isolation facilities are at Kasturba Hospital Mumbai and Naidu Hospital Pune All government medical colleges and district hospitals equipped too Asymptomatic travellers must isolate themselves at home from 14 days from the day of landing Local health authorities will monitor and follow up with such travellers on telephone Follow dos and donts wash hands frequently cough etiquettes avoid crowded placesTesting Facilities in State1 National Institute of Virology Pune2 Kasturba Central Laboratory Mumbai3 Indira Gandhi Medical College NagpurSource Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme IDPSCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates