“COVID 19 PANDEMIC, – TIME TO BE INFORMED & SERIOUS”
—:: Dr. Jadabeswar Bhattacharjee ::—
Total number of COVID 19 cases in India on March 05 this year was 30 only. After one month, that is, on April 05, it became 4289. Then on May 05 it rose to 42,836 and on June 05 it became 2, 26,770. Today (25 July 2020) the total number has become a mind blowing 13, 39,130. In case of total number of cases, India is at third position after USA and Brazil. This exponential growth in number of COVID 19 cases in India is expected to continue for another 2 to 3 months and can hit the figure of one crore.
India observed lockdown for 68 days in 4 phases between 25 March 2020 and 31 May 2020. Thereafter, graded restrictions and lockdown were imposed in different parts/localities of the country as per local needs. At present, West Bengal is observing bi-weekly lockdown on Thursday and Saturday. To avoid economic collapse, anymore country-wide lockdown is unlikely. Meanwhile government has also advised the people of the country about dos and don’ts to save us from the disease.
As has been seen our health care infrastructure and facilities have been stressed to the limit for treating cases and putting contacts in quarantine centres in this COVID 19 outbreak. So, it is becoming difficult for government to take any further load of cases and contacts.
The situation has been made more dangerous by presence of asymptomatic cases. These are the cases that are infected with COVID 19, but without having any signs and symptoms. Their disease transmission capability is undetermined today.
Unfortunately, COVID 19 is very serious for persons above 60 years of age. And death rate is highest in this age group. It is very difficult now to get a bed for COVID patient in hospital. And if one gets a bed, his/her near and dear ones will not be allowed to see the patient. No one will know what treatment will be given. If someone dies, his/her body will be disposed of by designated government personnel without involving the nearest relations.
If we understand these facts and the fact of uncontrolled increase in number of cases (and deaths) in coming days, we need to drastically change our behaviours to save us. We must understand that government has withdrawn lockdown, but COVID 19 has not withdrawn itself from India. Therefore we must observe the following behaviours to keep us safe from COVID 19:
- Don’t go outside home except for emergency works.
- Use face mask and don’t go near or talk to anybody without mask.
- Wash hand every 2-3 hours with soap giving 20 seconds of contact time for soap with skin. One can count 1 to 20 before washing with water.
- Maintain personal distance of 6 feet from others.
- Don’t visit anybody’s house except in emergency.
- Don’t allow anybody to visit your house except in emergency.
- Consult doctor if you have low or high grade fever, cough, sore-throat, diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing.
- Elderly people with diabetes, hypertension, lung or heart disease or any other chronic disease should take extra precaution and care.
It is up to us to save ourselves from COVID 19. No one else will take our responsibility.
‘Best of luck’ to all of us.
–~০০০XX০০০~–
