No Need To Panic, Follow Covid-19 Appropriate Behaviour: Top Doctors Clear Doubts As Corona Cases Spike

Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Sunil Kumar pointed out that vaccine and Covid-19 appropriate behaviour are key to break the chain of coronavirus infections.

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New Delhi: With the rapid surge in the coronavirus cases instilling fear among the people, the country’s top doctors on Sunday urged all not to panic while emphasizing not to give weightage to rumour-mongering around vaccines.

Vaccine And Covid Appropriate Behaviour To Break Chain

Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Sunil Kumar pointed out that vaccine and Covid-19 appropriate behaviour are key to break the chain of coronavirus infections.

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“There is no serious side-effect attached to them (vaccines), rather it’s negligible. Vaccine and Covid appropriate behaviour are two things that will help us break the chain,” ANI quoted Dr Kumar as saying while addressing a joint conversation on issues related to the Covid-19 situation with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr Randeep Guleria, AIIMS Medicine Department Head Dr Naveet Wig and Medanta Chairman Dr Naresh Trehan.

“The year 2020 brought new virus and we were not prepared. The Union Government carried its duty responsibly and ramped up testing capability. We must have faith that our government takes concrete and scientific steps with suggestions from doctors, microbiologists, epidemiologists,” he added.

Dr Kumar urged the people to behave responsibly and not get carried away by forwarded messages on mobile phones.

“Don't focus so much on news, watch only select news. There is a WhatsApp university going on. Don't pay attention to it. Follow responsible behaviour. This behaviour has to be followed by you, doctors, society as well as the media,” he said.

Unnecessary Panic Is Being Created

The AIIMS Director on his part said Covid-19 is a mild disease and there is no need to panic.

“If we talk about the current situation of COVID-19, there is panic in public, Due to this panic, people are putting injections in their houses, hoarding of the Remdesivir drug and oxygen cylinder has started with this. And because of this, we are facing a shortage of supply and unnecessary panic is being created,” Dr Guleria said.

“The Covid-19 infection is a normal infection. 85 to 90 percent of people are witnessing normal symptoms like fever, cold, body ache and cough. And in these cases, one doesn't need Remdesivir or other large numbers of medicines. You can take medicines for these normal infections or treat yourself with home remedies and yoga. You will back to normal and get well within seven or 10 days. You don't need to put Remdesivir or oxygen in your house,” he added.

All Need To Take Responsibility

Pointing out around 10 to 15 percent of people may witness severe infection and may need extra medicines like Remdesivir, oxygen or plasma, Dr Guleria said less than five percent of patients need to be operated on a ventilator.

Urging people to abide by Covid appropriate behaviour, AIIMS Medicine Head said the positivity rate can be brought down to five percent in India in the next three weeks if all take responsibility.

“All district officials must monitor district’s positivity rate and aim to keep it below 1-5%. Mumbai had 26% positivity rate at one point but after severe restrictions it came down to 14%. Delhi is struggling at 30%. We must impose strict restrictions,” said Dr Wig.

Correct Medicines On Time

The Medanta chairman said that 90 percent of patients can recover at home if they are given correct medicines on time.

“As soon as your RT-PCR report comes positive, my advice would be to consult your local doctor with whom you are in touch. All doctors know the protocol and will begin your treatment accordingly,” said Dr Trehan.

Over 14 Crore Vaccinated

Meanwhile, the cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed the landmark of 14 crore today. Over 25 lakh vaccination doses were administered in the last 24 hours.

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The country, however, registered 3,49,691 new cases in the last 24 hours.

Ten states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan, reported 74.53 percent of the new cases.

 

Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 67,160 followed by Uttar Pradesh with 37,944 while Karnataka reported 29,438 new cases.