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COVID-19: Information & Guidelines for Protecting You

You all are aware of the pandemic outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (officially known as COVID-19). The virus has spread globally and we are all at risk.

Click here to check the global situation.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals. In rare cases, they can be transmitted from animals to humans. The spikes protruding from the virus’s membrane look like the sun’s corona. It is from this that the virus gets get the name ‘coronavirus’. It causes illnesses of the respiratory tract, ranging from the common cold to severe conditions like SARS. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

Symptoms of coronavirus

Coronavirus can make people sick, usually with a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold. Some of the symptoms are:

  • A general feeling of being unwell
  • Headache
  • Dry Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Fatigue

In case someone is facing lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, they must seek professional health immediately.

Who is more likely to be a victim coronavirus?

People with a weakened immune system, cardiopulmonary disease, infants, and older adults are more likely to be affected by a coronavirus.

How dangerous is coronavirus? Does coronavirus cause death?

A few coronaviruses are known to be deadly. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which was first reported in the Middle East, causes severe respiratory problems. Four out of every 10 patients infected with MERS died in 2012.

The infamous Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) causes even more severe symptoms. Along with respiratory problems, it also causes diarrhoea, shortness of breath, fatigue and kidney failure. The death rate with SARS was higher, with older people being the most vulnerable.

The new virus (COVID-19) claimed over 3,000 lives and over 93,000 people were diagnosed positive.

Above all viruses like MARS, SARS etc. this is now the least lethal virus as the report confirmed by WHO and other sources. However knowledge is spreading much faster than earlier because of multiple source, information and communication.

How is coronavirus diagnosed?

Doctors may recommend the patient to undergo tests on respiratory specimens and serum to detect coronaviruses. If anyone experiences the symptoms, they must inform their doctor about recent travel or contact with animals.

Is there a vaccine for coronavirus?

There is no specific treatment for coronavirus, and no vaccine to prevent it.

How contagious is coronavirus?

  • Coronaviruses are highly contagious. Coughing and sneezing without covering the mouth can spread the virus.
  • Touching hands of a person that has the virus can pass the virus from one person to another.
  • Making contact with an object that has the virus and then touching your nose, eyes, or mouth can infect a person.
  • A coronavirus may spread through contact with faces.

What are the precautions for Coronavirus?

The World Health Organisation says the “most effective” protective measures are the following: cleaning your hands regularly, properly covering your mouth when you cough and social distancing.

WASHING HANDS: While washing hands, use an alcohol-based rub or soap and water to kill the pathogen. Do this frequently.

COVERING COUGHS: Use a tissue, or your bent elbow, to cover your cough — this keeps virus-infected droplets away from those around you. If you use a tissue, dispose of it quickly and safely.

SOCIAL DISTANCING: Stay at least 1 metre away from people who’re coughing or sneezing to avoid inhaling droplets.

AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE: If the virus has contaminated your hands after contact with another surface, it can infect you through your eyes, nose or mouth.

IF YOU ARE SICK: WHO has advised the people living in areas where the coronavirus is spreading, or who’ve traveled to such places in the past two weeks. First and foremost, follow the hygiene measures above. If you’re feeling under the weather, “even with mild symptoms such as headache and a slight runny nose”, then stay home till you get better. If you have fever, cough and breathing difficulties, go see a doctor. Inform her (or him) about your travel history. Tell her if you’ve come into contact with other travelers who may be at risk.

This is what the 7Med team is doing to protect you:

  1. Every clinic is being fumigated twice a week with BN600 for 40 min.
  2. Entire 7Med team has been requested to avoid shaking hands among ourselves.
  3. Every center has a hand disinfectant at the entrance of the center and on every bed.
  4. Proper hand hygiene is being followed, as always, in 5 major areas:
    • Before touching a patient
    • Before clean/aseptic procedures
    • After body fluid exposure/risk
    • After touching a patient, and
    • After touching patient surroundings.
  5. Advisory is being circulated to all patients to avoid shaking hands. They are also being continuously instructed to wash their hands with liquid soap and then to follow the hand hygiene procedure with chlorhexidine prior initiating the treatment.
  6. Patients are being instructed to use face masks to avoid the spreading of virus.
  7. Our team and patients have been requested to use disposable napkin or tissue paper instead of using handkerchief.
  8. Our team and patients have been requested to use disposable cups for drinking water. Reusing a glass must be avoided.
  9. All dustbins at 7Med centers are being disposed shift wise, cleaned with 1% sodium hypo solution and sprayed with BN600 at the initiation of the shift.
  10. Kidney trays and dressing trays are being cleaned shift wise with 1% BN600 chemical after the usage.
  11. Personal protective equipment like face mask, cap, apron and goggles are being used where required.
  12. We are strictly following the hand hygiene process in 7steps.
  13. Team uniforms are being washed on a Daily Basis
  14. Please do a less use of mobile phones at the center.
  15. Emergency contact number for an emergency has been made available.
  16. All 7Med family members have been requested to use a N95 mask while traveling, without fail.

Further Guidelines for 7Med Team

Dialysis Patients are at greater risk due to their already weakened immune system. Follow these guidelines to ensure your clinic is safe:

Madatorily check everyone (including staff, check yourself before opening clinic) before entering the Dialysis Clinic for the following:

  • Fever
  • Dry Cough
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Aching Muscles
  • Fatigue

If symptoms are detected, then:

  • Make sure they visit a Doctor immediately (Call Doctor & Inform them about the visit)
  • Do not allow them to enter the clinic until they have seen a doctor and you have spoken to the doctor and got clearance.
  • If urgent dialysis is required, make sure they wear a N95 mask and do one session only before further investigation is done and COVID-19 test results are received. Disinfect this machine thoroughly.

If a confirmed COVID-19 patient needs dialysis, then:

  • Then immediately contact Navneet Sharma/Gaurav Malhotra/Mayank Sharma. Every major city has hospitals where COVID-19 positive patients can be quarantined. Such patients must be moved to these hospitals and dialysis must be done in isolation.
  • Technicians must be equipped with Personal Protective Gear in such cases.