Guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination of children between 15-18 years in India

                                                                                  pic source: click here

Guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination of children between 15-18 years and precaution dose to HCWs, FLWs & 60+ population with comorbidities

India’s National COVID Vaccination Program is built on scientific and epidemiological evidence, WHO guidelines and global best practices. Anchored in systematic end-toend planning, it is implemented through effective and efficient participation of States/UTs and the people at large. 

Government of India’s commitment to the vaccination program has been unwavering and proactive from the beginning, from strengthening Research and Development capacity, to encouraging and enabling manufacturing and vaccinating each and every adult Indian safely, as fast as possible. 

As a consequence of reliance on scientific & epidemiological evidence and pro-active implementation, India’s COVID-19 vaccination programme has achieved historical milestone of administering more than 141 crore doses so far. 90% of the adult population of the country has been covered with at least one dose and 62% of the adult population has been covered with both the doses.

For the COVID vaccination program, Government of India initiated early and proactive steps as far back as April 2020: 

    • “Task Force for Focused Research on Corona Vaccine” (constituted in April 2020), to encourage domestic R&D of Drugs, Diagnostics and Vaccines, headed by Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. 

    • “National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19” (NEGVAC), (constituted in August 2020), to formulate a comprehensive action plan for vaccine administration, co-chaired by Member (Health) NITI Aayog and Union Health Secretary.

    • “Empowered Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19” (constituted in January 2021), to facilitate optimal utilization of technology to make COVID vaccination all inclusive, transparent, simple and scalable, headed by CEO, National Health Authority. 

India’s COVID vaccination program incorporates recommendations of the foremost experts in the field of immunization, public health, disease control and information technology. Based on scientific and epidemiological evidence, the programme gives priority to strengthening the country’s healthcare system by protecting the professionals, health and frontline workers, manning it, as well as protecting the most vulnerable population groups. 

                                                                    pic source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56111379

COVID-19 vaccination in the country commenced with vaccination to all Health Care Workers. The program was expanded with time to include vaccination of Front Line Workers, citizens more than 60 years of age, citizens more than 45 years of age, and eventually citizens more than 18 years of age. 

Under the National COVID Vaccination Program, from 16th January to 30th April 2021, 100% of vaccine doses were procured by Government of India and provided free of cost to State Governments. State Governments were in turn to administer vaccination free of cost to defined priority groups. 

To increase the pace of vaccination, participation of private hospitals was also enlisted where individuals could also choose to get vaccinated at a prescribed rate. In response to the suggestions of many State Governments to be permitted the flexibility to procure vaccine directly and administer them as per their own prioritization based on local requirements, Government of India revised the Guidelines. 

Under the revised Guidelines effective from 1st May, 2021, Government of India was procuring 50% of the vaccine produced and was continuing to provide them to States free of cost for administering to priority groups.

The State Government and private hospitals were also empowered to directly procure from the remaining 50% vaccine pool. Many States subsequently communicated that they were facing difficulties in managing the funding, procurement and logistics of vaccines, impacting the pace of the National COVID Vaccination Program.

It was also noted that smaller and remoter private hospitals also faced constraints. Keeping in view the aforesaid aspects, the experiences gained from 1st May 2021 and the repeated requests received from States, the Guidelines for National COVID Vaccination Program were reviewed and revised.

These Revised Guidelines became effective from 21st June 2021. Under the Revised Guidelines, Government of India procured 75% of the vaccines being produced by the manufacturers in the country and provided it free of cost to States/UTs as has been the case from the commencement of the National Vaccination Programme.

These doses were administered by the States/UTs free of cost to all citizens as per priority through Government Vaccination Centres. Vaccine doses provided free of cost by Government of India have been allocated to States/UTs based on criteria such as population, disease burden and the progress of vaccination.

Wastage of vaccine has affected the allocation negatively. 3 Government of India has also provided States/UTs advance information of vaccine doses to be supplied to them. States/UTs were expected similarly, to further allocate doses well in advance to districts and vaccination centers.

They were also expected to put in the public domain the information about the above availability at district and vaccination center level, and widely disseminate it among the local population, maximizing the visibility and convenience of citizens.

In order to incentivize production by vaccine manufacturers and encourage new vaccines, domestic vaccine manufacturers were given the option to also provide vaccines directly to private hospitals.

This was restricted to 25% of their monthly production. Later on, it emerged that the off take of private hospitals was much below the aforesaid 25%. Therefore, the Govt. of India procured more than 75% of vaccines being produced by the manufacturers in the country. These vaccines were provided free of cost to the States/UTs.

All citizens irrespective of their income status have all along been entitled to free vaccination. Those who have the ability to pay are encouraged to use private hospital’s vaccination centres. The CoWIN platform provides every citizen the facility of conveniently and safely prebooking vaccination appointments.

All government and private vaccination centers also provide onsite registration facility, available both for individuals as well as groups of individuals, for which detailed procedure have been finalized and published by States/UTs, in order to minimize any inconvenience to citizens. 

Keeping in view the recent global surge of COVID-19 cases, detection of Omicron variant which has been categorized as a Variant of Concern (VOC), scientific evidence, global practices and the inputs/suggestions of ‘COVID-19 Working Group of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI)’ as well as of ‘Standing Technical Scientific Committee (STSC)’ of NTAGI it has now been decided to further refine the scientific prioritization & coverage of COVID-19 vaccination as follows: 

1. COVID-19 Vaccination of children in the age-group of 15-18 years to be started from 3rd January 2022. For such beneficiaries, vaccination option would be “Covaxin” only. 

2. As a matter of abundant precaution, for those Health Care Workers (HCWs) & Front Line Workers (FLWs) who have received two doses, another dose of COVID-19 vaccine would be provided from 10th January 2022. The prioritization and sequencing of this precaution dose would be based on the completion of 9 months i.e. 39 weeks from the date of administration of 2nd dose. 

3. All persons aged 60 years and above with comorbidities who have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, will on Doctor’s advice be provided with a 4 precaution dose from 10th January 2022. The prioritization and sequencing of this precaution dose would be based on the completion of 9 months i.e. 39 weeks from the date of administration of second dose. 

All citizens irrespective of their income status are entitled to free COVID-19 vaccination at Govt. Vaccination Centres. Those who have the ability to pay are encouraged to use Private Hospitals’ Vaccination Centres. 

Co-WIN features and provisions: 

1. HCWs, FLWs and Citizens 60+ with co-morbidities: a. All HCWs, FLWs and citizens aged 60 years or above with comorbidities will be able to access the vaccination for precaution dose through their existing Co-WIN account. b. Eligibility of such beneficiaries for the precaution dose will be based on the date of administration of 2nd dose as recorded in the Co-WIN system. c. Co-WIN system will send SMS to such beneficiaries for availing the precaution dose when the dose becomes due. d. Registration and appointment services can be accessed through both, the online and the onsite modes. e. The details of administration of the precaution dose will be suitably reflected in the vaccination certificates. 

2. New beneficiaries aged 15-18 years: 

    a. All those aged 15 years or more will be able to register on Co-WIN. In other worlds, all those whose birth year is 2007 or before, shall be eligible.

    b. Beneficiaries can self-register, online through an existing account on Co-WIN or can also register by creating a new account through a unique mobile number, this facility is available for all eligible citizens presently. 

    c. Such beneficiaries can also be registered onsite by the verifier/vaccinator in facilitated registration mode. 

    d. Appointments can be booked online or onsite (walk-in). 

    e. For such beneficiaries, option for vaccination would only be available for Covaxin as this is the only vaccine with EUL for the age-group 15-18. These Guidelines will come into effect from 3rd January 2022 & will be reviewed from time to time.

These Guidelines will come into effect from 3rd January 2022 & will be reviewed from time to time

Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI

COVID-19 Vaccine Your Guide to Booster Vaccination

What is Coronavirus or COVID-19 ?

COVID-19 is a very infectious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is more serious in older people and those with certain health conditions.

Why are you being offered a COVID-19 booster?

Like some other vaccines, levels of protection may begin to wane over time. The booster will help to reduce the risk of you needing admission to hospital due to COVID-19 infection this winter.

Protection against severe disease from the first 2 doses seems to decline very slowly. Boosting your immunity should help to extend your protection into next year and may give broader protection against new variants.

When should you have a booster?

The booster is being offered to those most vulnerable first, and will then be rolled down to younger age groups. Your appointment should at least 3 months from your last dose, but you may be called later based on your age group.

Common side effects

As with your previous dose the common side effects are the same for all COVID-19 vaccines used:

a) having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around 1 to 2 days after the vaccine

b) feeling tired

c) headache

d) general aches, or mild-flu like symptoms

Please note: If you had serious side effects after any previous dose you may be advised to avoid or delay further vaccination. You should discuss this with your doctor or specialist

Serious side effects

Worldwide, there have also been recent, very rare cases of inflammation of the heart called myocarditis or pericarditis reported after Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

These cases have been seen mostly in younger men within several days after vaccination. Most of the these people recovered and felt better following rest and simple treatments.

You should seek medical advice urgently if, after vaccination, you experience:

a) chest pain 

b) shortness of breath

c) feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

Is there anyone who shouldn't have a booster?

There are very few people who should not have a booster. 

If you have had a severe reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine you should discuss this with your doctor

Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine?

The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19 disease.

It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster.

Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective - some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe.

If you have not had the first vaccinations

If you have not yet had either of your first 2 doses of the vaccine you should have them as soon as possible

I have a COVID-19 positive result, when can I have my booster?

You will still need the booster but you should wait at least four weeks from your COVID-19 infection

For more information please see here -- https://coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/productinformation

COVID-19 Travel Guidelines in India flights trains ship bus inter-state travel

 Guidelines for domestic travel (flight/train/ship/ bus inter-state travel)

1. Background Union government has not recommended any restrictions on inter-state travel in the context of COVID-19. Further, States were allowed to develop their own protocols with regards to quarantine and isolation as per their assessment. It has come to notice that certain States, however, have imposed negative RT-PCR testing reports as a criterion for point of entry in their states. 

Presently, we are seeing a declining trajectory of cases across the country after a peak in reported cases during mid-May as part of the second wave. With a view to facilitate inter-State travel, while observing required precautions, the guidelines for domestic travel (flight/train/ship/bus inter-state travel) are revised so as to have a uniform protocol for domestic travel across the country.

2. Scope These guidelines are applicable to all States/UTs so as to facilitate inter-state travel. Based on the evolving scenario of COVID-19, including evidence of mutant variant within India or outside, the guidelines may warrant suitable revision to institute appropriate public health measures also. 

3. General Advisory to all passengers People must follow required health protocols, as detailed below, whenever there is a need to travel: 

    i. Passengers should self-monitor their health and travel only when they have no symptoms related to COVID-19. 

    ii. All passengers shall follow COVID appropriate behavior at all times which includes use of mask/face cover, hand hygiene and physical distancing of six feet (do gaj ki doori) as far as feasible. Masks/face covers must be worn properly to cover nose and mouth. Touching the front portion of mask/face covers to be avoided. 

    iii. Avoid spitting in public places during travel.

    iv. All passengers shall be advised to download Arogya Setu app on their mobile devices.

    v. If they develop fever during travel, they shall report to cabin crew/TTE/bus conductor as the case may be. 

    vi. If they develop symptoms after reaching their final destination, they shall inform the District Surveillance Officer or the State/National Call Center (1075).

4. Advisory to Airports/Railway stations/Ports/Bus Stations

i. Suitable announcement about COVID-19 and Covid appropriate behaviour shall be made at airports/railway station/ports/bus terminals. Such announcements may include precautionary measures to be followed. 

ii. All passengers shall undergo thermal screening at the point of departure and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to board the flight/train/ship/bus. 

iii. During boarding, all passengers shall use face covers/mask. They will also follow physical distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene (such as covering the mouth with elbow while coughing). 

iv. Suitable arrangements for ensuring availability of masks and hand sanitizers shall also be made at the Terminal. 

v. At airports/railway stations/ports/bus terminals required measures to ensure physical distancing shall be taken. 

vi. Proper provisioning for disposal of used masks, face shields, gloves etc. by passengers in covered bins shall be made at the airports/railway stations/ports/bus stations. Their disposal shall be in accordance with the guidelines issued by Central Pollution Control Board (available at: https://cpcb.nic.in/uploads/Projects/Bio-Medical-Waste/BMW-GUIDELINES-COVID_1.pdf) 

vii. Airports/railway stations/ports/bus terminals should be regularly sanitized/disinfected, and availability of soaps and sanitizers shall be ensured. 

viii. Thermal screening at exit points shall be arranged. 

ix. Asymptomatic passengers will be permitted to go with the advice that they shall self-monitor their health for 14 days. 

x. In case, passengers are detected with symptoms, there shall be an isolation room/holding area (with working oxygen facility with trained personnel) at the Terminals where such patients shall be kept and monitored till they are transferred to an appropriate health facility. 

For such purposes airport/railway station/ports/bus stations authorities shall provide for requisite PPEs, pulse oximeter, thermometer etc. and trained personnel to attend to these patients

5. Advisory to be adhered by Airlines/Railways/Ship/Bus operators and during travel 

i. Passengers wearing masks/ face covers only shall be allowed to travel. The masks/face covers must be worn properly to cover nose and mouth at all times. 

ii. The airlines/railways/ship/bus operators shall also keep a reserve of masks, face shield, handsanitizer etc. for passengers in case of non-availability/such items needs replacement. 

iii. There is no requirement of the usage of body coverall/apron for the passengers. 

iv. The staff manning the airline/railway coach/ship cabins/bus shall at all times wear masks, face shield, gloves and take other suitable precautions. 

v. Suitable announcement about COVID-19 including precautionary measures to be followed shall be made in flights/trains/ship/bus. 

vi. Operators shall make announcement for proper disposal of masks, gloves, face shields etc. 

vii. Passengers should follow hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene (such as covering the mouth with elbow while coughing) at all times. Page 3 of 3 

viii. Aircraft/trains/ships/buses should be regularly sanitized/disinfected, and availability of soap and water / sanitizers shall be ensured. 

ix. Information on Dos and Don'ts shall be provided along with tickets to the travelers by the agencies concerned. 

6. Advisory to States/UTs 

i. There shall be no restrictions on inter-State travel by air, rail, water, or road.

ii. In case RT-PCR or RAT tests are required prior to entry in a State, as notified by the State govt, the same must be publicized widely to maximize traveller convenience. 

iii. Asymptomatic persons who have been vaccinated with both doses of the COVID 19 vaccine and 15 days have lapsed since the administration of second dose of the vaccine and are in possession of the final vaccination certificate issued through the COWIN portal, such persons may be exempted from mandatory requirement of possessing a negative RTPCR report or RAT test on their entry into the State. 

iv. Passengers who are found symptomatic on arrival shall be subjected to Rapid Antigen Test at the Terminal to aid early identification. 

v. In the event of unusual surge in cases in any State/UT, the States/UTs may institute appropriate public health measures promptly. 

vi. States may implement additional restrictions, based on local requirements

Revised Guidelines for implementation of National COVID Vaccination Program

Revised Guidelines for implementation of National COVID Vaccination Program

 India’s National COVID Vaccination Program is built on scientific and epidemiological evidence, WHO guidelines and global best practices. Anchored in systematic end-to-end planning, it is implemented through effective and efficient participation of States/UTs and the people at large.

 

Government of India’s commitment to the vaccination program has been unwavering and proactive from the beginning, from strengthening Research and Development capacity, to encouraging and enabling manufacturing and vaccinating each and every adult Indian safely, as fast as possible.

 

For the COVID vaccination program, Government of India initiated early and proactive steps as far back as April 2020:

·        “Task Force for Focused Research on Corona Vaccine” (constituted in April 2020), to encourage domestic R&D of Drugs, Diagnostics and Vaccines, headed by Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.

 

·        “National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19” (NEGVAC), (constituted in August 2020), to formulate a comprehensive action plan for vaccine administration, co-chaired by Member (Health) NITI Aayog and Union Health Secretary.

 

·        “Empowered Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19” (constituted in January 2021), to facilitate optimal utilization of technology to make COVID vaccination all inclusive, transparent, simple and scalable, headed by CEO, National Health Authority.

India’s COVID vaccination program incorporates recommendations of the foremost experts in the field of immunization, public health, disease control and information technology. Based on scientific and epidemiological evidence, the programme gives priority to strengthening the country’s healthcare system by protecting the professionals, health and frontline workers, manning it, as well as protecting the most vulnerable population groups.

 

COVID vaccination in the country commenced with vaccination to all Health Care Workers. The program was expanded with time to include vaccination of Front Line Workers, citizens more than 60 years of age, citizens more than 45 years of age and eventually citizens more than 18 years of age.

Under the National COVID Vaccination Program, from 16^th January to 30^th April 2021, 100% of vaccine doses were procured by Government of India and provided free of cost to State Governments. State Governments were in turn to administer vaccination free of cost to defined priority groups. To increase the pace of vaccination, participation of private hospitals was also enlisted where individuals could also chose to get vaccinated at a prescribed rate.

 

In response to the suggestions of many State Governments to be permitted the flexibility to procure vaccine directly and administer them as per their own prioritization based on local requirements, Government of India revised the Guidelines. Under the revised Guidelines effective from 1^st May, 2021, Government of India was procuring 50% of the vaccine produced and was continuing to provide them to States free of cost for administering to priority groups. The State Government and private hospitals were now also empowered to directly procure from the remaining 50% vaccine pool.

 

Many States have however now communicated that they are facing difficulties in managing the funding, procurement and logistics of vaccines, impacting the pace of the National COVID Vaccination Program. It has also been noted that smaller and remoter private hospitals are also facing constraints.

 

Keeping in view the aforesaid aspects, the experiences gained from 1^st May 2021 and the repeated requests received from States, the Guidelines for National COVID Vaccination Program have been reviewed and revised.

 

The main elements of the Revised Guidelines are as follows -

·        Government of India will procure 75% of the vaccines being produced by the manufacturers in the country. The vaccines procured will continue to be provided free of cost to States/UTs as has been the case from the commencement of the National Vaccination Programme. These doses will be administered by the States/UTs free of cost to all citizens as per priority through Government Vaccination Centres.

 

·        In respect of the vaccine doses provided free of cost by Government of India to the States, vaccination will be prioritized as the following:

o   Health Care Workers

o   Front Line Workers

o   Citizens more than 45 years of age

o   Citizens whose second dose has become due

o   Citizens 18 years & above

·        Within the population group of citizens more than 18 years of age, States/UTs may decide their own prioritization factoring in the vaccine supply schedule.

 

·        Vaccine doses provided free of cost by Government of India will be allocated to States/UTs based on criteria such as population, disease burden and the progress of vaccination. Wastage of vaccine will affect the allocation negatively.

 

·        Government of India will provide States/UTs advance information of vaccine doses to be supplied to them. States/UTs should similarly, further allocate doses well in advance to districts and vaccination centers. They should also put in the public domain the information about the above availability at district and vaccination center level, and widely disseminate it among the local population, maximizing the visibility and convenience of citizens.

 

·        In order to incentivize production by vaccine manufacturers and encourage new vaccines, domestic vaccine manufacturers are given the option to also provide vaccines directly to private hospitals. This would be restricted to 25% of their monthly production. States/UTs would aggregate the demand of private hospitals keeping in view equitable distribution between large and small private hospitals and regional balance. Based on this aggregated demand, Government of India will facilitate supply of these vaccines to the private hospitals and their payment through the National Health Authority’s electronic platform. This would enable the smaller and remoter private hospitals to obtain timely supply of vaccines, and further equitable access and regional balance.

 

·        The price of vaccine doses for private hospitals would be declared by each vaccine manufacturer, and any subsequent changes would be notified in advance. The private hospitals may charge up to a maximum of Rupees 150 per dose as service charges. State Governments may monitor the price being so charged.

 

·        All citizens irrespective of their income status are entitled to free vaccination. Those who have the ability to pay are encouraged to use private hospital’s vaccination centres.

·        To promote the spirit of “Lok Kalyan”, use of non-transferable Electronic Vouchers which can be redeemed at private vaccination centers, will be encouraged. This would enable people to financially support vaccination of Economically Weaker Sections at private vaccination centres.

 

·        The CoWIN platform provides every citizen the facility of conveniently and safely pre-booking vaccination appointments. All government and private vaccination centers would also provide onsite registration facility, available both for individuals as well as groups of individuals, for which detailed procedure is to be finalized and published by States/UTs, in order to minimize any inconvenience to citizens.

 

·        States may also optimally utilize the Common Service Centres and Call Centres to facilitate prior booking by citizens.

 

 The above revised program provides States/UTs with additional central government support across funding, procurement and logistics. It also facilitates scientific prioritization, wider access, harnessing of private sector capacity and flexibility at the state and local level.

 

The revised guidelines will come into effect from 21^st June 2021 and will be reviewed from time to time.

Question and Answers on COVID-19

 

Detail Question and Answers on COVID-19 for Public

 

 What is corona virus

Corona viruses 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.

What is COVID-19

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered corona virus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019

What are the symptoms of COVID-19

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.

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 gets 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.

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. 

See previous answer on “How does COVID-19 spread?”

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.

Can I catch COVID-19 from the feces of someone with the disease?

The risk of catching COVID-19 from the feces of an infected person appears to be low. 

While initial investigations suggest the virus may  be present in feces in some cases, spread through this route is not a main feature of the outbreak. 

The ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share new findings.

Because this is a risk, however, it is another reason to clean hands regularly, after using the bathroom and before eating.

What can I do to protect myself and prevent the spread of disease

 Protection measures for everyone

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the national,state and local public health authority. 

Many countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and several have seen outbreaks. 

Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks. However, the situation is unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news.

 You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID- 19 by taking some simple precautions:

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol- based hand rub or wash them with soap and  water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand  rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone     who      is      coughing      or      sneezing. Why?  When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid     touching     eyes,     nose      and      mouth. Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes,  nose  or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose    of    the    used     tissue     immediately. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance.

Follow the directions of your local health  authority. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. 

This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely).

If possible, avoid traveling to places – especially if you are an older person or  have      diabetes,      heart       or       lung       disease. Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.

Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited  (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading

 Follow the guidance outlined above (Protection measures for everyone)

Self-isolate by staying at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache, low grade fever (37.3 C or above) and slight runny nose, until you recover. If it is essential for you to have someone bring you supplies  or to go  out, e.g.   to buy food, then wear a mask to avoid infecting other people. Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.

If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing,  seek  medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. 

Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers. Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. 

This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

How likely am I to catch COVID-19?

 The risk depends on where you are - and more specifically, whether there is a COVID-19 outbreak unfolding there.

For most people in most locations the risk of catching COVID-19  is  still low. However, there are now places around the world (cities or areas) where the disease is spreading. For people living in, or visiting, these areas the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher. 

Governments  and health authorities are taking vigorous action every time a new  case of COVID-19 is identified.

Be sure to comply with any local restrictions on travel, movement or large gatherings. 

Cooperating with disease control efforts will reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.

COVID-19 outbreaks can be contained and transmission stopped, as has been shown in China and some other countries.

Unfortunately, new outbreaks can emerge rapidly. It’s important to be aware of the situation where you are or intend to go.

Should I worry about COVID-19?

Illness due to COVID-19 infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. However, it can cause serious illness: about 1 in every 5 people who catch it need hospital care. 

It is therefore quite normal for people to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect them and their loved ones.

We can channel our concerns into actions to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. 

First and foremost among these actions is regular and thorough hand-washing and good respiratory hygiene. 

Secondly, keep informed and follow the advice of the local health authorities including any restrictions put in place on travel, movement and gatherings.

Who is at risk of developing severe illness

While we are still learning about how COVID-2019 affects people, older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes) appear to develop serious illness more often than others

Are antibiotics effective in preventing or treating the COVID-19?

No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, they only work on bacterial infections. 

COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

They should  only be used as  directed by a  physician  to treat a bacterial infection.

Are there any medicines or therapies that can prevent or cure COVID-19

While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease.

We does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. 

However, there are several ongoing clinical trials that include both western and traditional medicines. 

We  will continue to provide updated information as soon  as clinical findings are available.

Is COVID-19 the same as SARS?

No. The virus that causes COVID-19 and the one that caused the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 are related to each other genetically, but the diseases they cause are  quite different.

SARS was more deadly but much less infectious than COVID-19. There have been no outbreaks of SARS anywhere in the world since 2003.

Should I wear mask to protect myself

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

Disposable face mask can only be used once. If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. 

There is a world-wide shortage of masks, so We urge people to use masks wisely.

We advises rational use of medical masks to avoid unnecessary wastage of precious resources and mis-use of masks

The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.

How to put on use take off and dispose of a mask?

1. Remember, a mask should only be used by health workers, care takers, and individuals with respiratory symptoms, such as fever and cough.

2.     Before touching the mask, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

3.     Take the mask and inspect it for tears or holes.

4.     Orient which side is the top side (where the metal strip is).

5.     Ensure the proper side of the mask faces outwards (the  coloured side).

6.     Place the mask to your face. Pinch the metal strip or stiff edge of the mask so it moulds to the shape of your nose.

7.     Pull down the mask’s bottom so it covers your mouth and your chin.

8.     After use, take off the mask; remove the elastic loops from behind the ears while keeping the mask away from your face and clothes, to avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces of the mask.

9.     Discard the mask in a closed bin immediately after use.

10.    Perform hand hygiene after touching or discarding the mask

Use alcohol-based hand rub or, if visibly soiled, wash your hands with soap and water.

How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?

The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease. 

Most estimates of  the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days. 

These estimates will be updated as more data become available.

 Can humans become infected with the COVID-19 from an animal source?

 Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in animals. 

Occasionally, people get infected with these viruses which may then spread to other people. 

For example, SARS-CoV was associated with civet cats and MERS-CoV is transmitted by dromedary camels. Possible animal sources of COVID-19 have not yet been confirmed.

To protect yourself, such as when visiting live animal markets, avoid direct contact with animals and surfaces in contact with animals.

Ensure good food safety practices at all times. Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care to avoid contamination of uncooked foods and avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products.

Can I catch COVID-19 from my pet?

While there has been one instance of a dog being infected in Hong Kong, to date, there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19. 

COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly.

We continues to monitor the latest research on this and other COVID- 19 topics and will update as new findings are available.

How long does the virus survive on surfaces?

 It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other corona viruses. 

Studies suggest that corona viruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

 If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others. 

Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

 Is it safe to receive a package from any area where COVID-19 has been reported?

 Yes. The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.

Is there anything I should not do?

 The following measures ARE NOT effective against COVID-2019 and can be harmful:

·         Smoking

·         Wearing multiple masks

·         Taking antibiotics (See question 10 "Are there any medicines of therapies that can prevent or cure COVID-19?")

 

In any case, if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing  seek medical care early to reduce the risk of developing a more severe infection and be sure to share your recent travel history with your health care provider.

Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/