Kumaraguru Action for Relief and Empowerment (KARE) was founded in the year 2015 – November during the Chennai floods. Over the years, KARE has been doing unparalleled work and had played pivotal roles in numerous relief activities by supporting the victims of natural disasters such as floods, cyclones and other calamities, notably during Kerala floods & Gaja Cyclone in Tamilnadu in the year 2018. This is a volunteer movement of Kumaraguru Institutions where many people from different walks of lives join hands when the need arises.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a recent strain in the Coronavirus family which includes SARS (2002 – China) and MERS (2012 – Middle East) and is known to cause respiratory infections and diseases in humans. COVID-19 stands for CO -Corona, VI – Virus, D – Disease & 19 – 2019 (Year of Discovery).
Source: WHO

What are the symptoms?

The median incubation period of the virus is 5 days, with all symptoms appearing by 11.5 days in about 97.5% COVID positive cases. 14 days quarantine is recommended (based on severe cases only). 
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:
•    Breathing difficulties
•    Dry Cough
•    Fever
•    Fatigue
Source: NHS Foundation Trust, CNET, WHO

How does it spread?

The COVID-19 spreads through:
•    Direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person.
•    Touching virus-contaminated materials used by the infected person.
•    The COVIID-19 virus is expected to survive in different mediums as
      follows:

One should note that the milk packets (made from plastic) have the potential for being carriers of COVID-19. We suggest emptying the milk into a glass container, disposing of the packet safely and washing the hands after handling such packets.
Source: NHS Foundation Trust, WHO

Helpline numbers to reach out in case of symptoms:

•    Central Helpline Number for Coronavirus: +91-11-23978046
•    For State & Union Territories refer:

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf

Source: MOHFW


What is the current status of COVID -19 globally and in India?

COVID19 Situation Dashboard by World Health Organization (WHO)

COVID19 Situation Dashboard by World Health Organization
(WHO)

(https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/685d0ace521648f8a5beeeee1b9125cd)

COVID19 cases by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/DistrictWiseList324.pdf

(as on 04/04/2020)


COVID-19 related mortality (per million people) in Countries with 10+ deaths, and the population

What are the preventive measures & practices to be followed?

•    Stay at Home.
•    The use of a medical mask is advised if you have respiratory
     symptoms.
•    Maintain at least 1-meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and
     anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
•    Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you
     cough or sneeze.
•    Avoid travelling to places especially if you are an older person or
     have diabetes, heart or lung disease. 
•    Boost your immunity by taking Vitamin C rich diet.

Source: WHO


What Union & State Governments are doing to tackle Coronavirus?

Union Government:

•    21-day lockdown to mandate social distancing in the public sphere.
•    Rs.1.70 crore relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan
      Yojana which includes :
•    Rs.50 lakh insurance cover for health workers battling COVID -19.
•    Wages increased under the MGNREGA.
•    Frontloading (preponing) payments to 8.7 crore farmers under the
     PM KISAN.
•    Doubling food grains and cereals entitlement to 80 crore families
     through PDS etc.,.
•    Support measures to Divyang, Self Help Groups and SMEs.
•    State Governments to augment health facilities using District Mineral
      Fund.
•    PSUs including BEL to supply 40000 ventilators to double capacity.

State Governments:

•   Cash transfers in addition to what is offered by the Union
    Government.
•   Governments of Tamil Nadu & Kerala have announced delivery of
    prepared meals from state canteens and community kitchens to
    Anganwadi dependents.
•   Government of Kerala has launched a direct application platform to
    provide authentic information in multiple languages including Tamil,
    Malayalam, Hindi.

Source: THE HINDU PIB, Dvara Trust, Gov of Kerala


COVID-19 Myths vs Facts

Myth Fact
Hot climate stops the spread of COVID-19.The COVID-19 can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates.
COVID-19 can spread through meat consumption.(FSSAI), India has stated that the disease does not spread through chicken, mutton or fish.
COVID-19 can spread through mosquitoes.COVID-19 cannot be transmitted through mosquitoes.
Coronavirus can be killed by drinking hot water every 15 minutes.UNESCO has categorically denied this claim.
 

 Source: National Portal of India


Have vaccines been developed to treat Coronavirus?

Not yet. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19. Some possible vaccines and drug combinations are under testing & investigation by WHO team, as part of it’s ‘Solidarity’ trials, in which India is set to be a part of. The various combinations include :

  • Remdesivir – Originally developed for Ebola, another zoonotic disease.
  • Chloroquine & Hydroxychloroquine – Anti-malarial drug, recently made prescription-only Schedule 1 drug by the Government of India.
  • Ritonavir / Lopinavir & Ritonavir / Lopinavir with Interferon Beta – Anti HIV & tested effective against MERS coronavirus.

Source: Science Mag, THE HINDU, WHO


Where can a common man geWhere can a common man get authentic information about Coronavirus?