First Covid-19 case creates panic
Fear is now about ‘suspected cases’ and those travelling without knowing that they carry the virus
Panic has gripped the city with the first case of Covid-19 being announced. People shared the details on social media and many of them asked those who have cough and cold to self-isolate and not go out of their homes.
Those who have been coughing in hospitals are also being told to cover their mouth and not cough all around. The presence of the virus in the state has left the people worried. Already handkerchiefs are being used as masks. Even hand sanitizers have gone off the shelves as people are carrying it with them to wash their hands.
The preventive tips were highly searched on internet and there were requests from friends, relatives and family members from other states to be safe. A senior doctor from a private hospital explained, “Covid-19 was to come to India and it was only a matter of time. There will be 100 other cases out there but they are still not confirmed. The death rate is only two per cent. Senior citizens and pregnant women have to take be extra careful. Those who suffer from diabetes and hypertension, transplant patients and any other co-morbid conditions have to be careful as there are complications in such cases.”
Those frequenting hospitals apart from the medical staff like relatives of patients, employees of non-government organisations, insurance and other administration staff of various other departments have to also exercise care as they are going into zones from where infection can spread.
The maximum fear is now about ‘suspected cases’ who are asymptomatic and are travelling without knowing that they carry the virus and have the capability to transmit it. This is the biggest challenge and it can be tackled by ensuring good immunity, proper hand hygiene and cough manners.