Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Centers in India & FAQs

What is a coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

Novel Coronavirus India & WHO Helpline Numbers

• INDIA: The Helpline Number for corona-virus: +91-11-23978046 Toll-Free No: 1075
• Ministry of Health & Family Welfare official website: www.mohfw.gov.in
• Central Helpline Email: ncov2019@gmail.com

• World Health Organization Official website: www.who.int
• WHO-World Health Organization Whatsapp Number is +41 798931892

Save the above WhatsApp number on your mobile and send a message with “hi”.

The service will provide you with the latest information and guidance from WHO on the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported on 31st December 2019.

All India Statewise Helpline Numbers

Sources: Indian Council of Medical Research

WHO Myth-busters (Coronavirus Facts)

There is a lot of false information around. These are the facts.

? People of all ages CAN be infected by a coronavirus. Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

❄ Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the coronavirus.

☀ The coronavirus CAN be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates

? The coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites.

? There is NO evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can transmit the coronavirus.

? Taking a hot bath DOES NOT prevent the coronavirus

? Hand dryers are NOT effective in killing the coronavirus

? Ultraviolet light SHOULD NOT be used for sterilization and can cause skin irritation

? Thermal scanners CAN detect if people have a fever but CANNOT detect whether or not someone has the coronavirus

? Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body WILL NOT kill viruses that have already entered your body

? Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, DO NOT provide protection against the coronavirus.

? There is NO evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the coronavirus.

? Garlic is healthy but there is NO evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the coronavirus.

? Antibiotics DO NOT work against viruses, antibiotics only work against bacteria.

? To date, there is NO specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the coronavirus.

Check the facts on the WHO website: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

How to Protect yourself from Coronavirus

? Wash your hands frequently

? Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose

? Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze

? Avoid crowded places

?Stay at home if you feel unwell – even with a slight fever and cough

? If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early – but call by phone first

ℹ Stay aware of the latest information from WHO

Travel Advice

WHO continues to advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks.

It is prudent for travellers who are sick to delay or avoid travel to affected areas, in particular for elderly travellers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions. “Affected areas” are considered those countries, provinces, territories or cities experiencing ongoing transmission of COVID-19, in contrast to areas reporting only imported cases.

General recommendations for all travellers include:

? Wash your hands frequently

? Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose

? Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze

↔ Stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick

? Follow proper food hygiene practices

? Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19.

Travellers returning from affected areas should:

? Self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days and follow national protocols of receiving countries. Some countries may require returning travellers to enter quarantine.

? If symptoms occur, such as fever, or cough or difficulty breathing, travellers are advised to contact local health care providers, preferably by phone, and inform them of their symptoms and their travel history.

For the latest travel advice:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice

For the latest situation reports for affected areas:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/

For advice on proper food hygiene practices:
https://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/consumer/en/5keys_en.pdf?ua=1&ua=1

For advice on visiting live animal markets:
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus/who-recommendations-to-reduce-risk-of-transmission-of-emerging-pathogens-from-animals-to-humans-in-live-animal-markets

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:
? fever
? tiredness
? dry cough

Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea.

These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.

Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.

Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.

People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

How does COVID-19 spread?

? People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus.

? The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.

? These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person.

? Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

↔ People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.

WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings.

Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be transmitted through the air?
Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.

Can COVID-19 be caught from a person who has no symptoms?
The main way the disease spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing. The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is particularly true at the early stages of the disease. It is, therefore, possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill.

Janata Curfew by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Addressing the Nation, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi asked the people to take precautionary measures and be serious before its get too late and declared the whole country Janata Curfew on 22 March, Sunday. The curfew will remain applicable from 7 am to 9 pm on Sunday.