COVID-19: Govt issues advisory for aged people
New Delhi, Mar 30: Stating that the course of COVID-19 tends to be more severe in the case of the elderly population, resulting in higher mortality, the Union Health Ministry has issued a health advisory, listing some 'dos' and 'don'ts' for reducing the transmission of the virus among the aged section.
The advisory said globally, COVID-19 has impacted several lives and is steadily increasing its reach. While the Indian government has taken stringent actions to contain the spread of COVID-19, including a nationwide lockdown, it is also critical for each one of us to follow the protocols and take necessary measures and precautions to break the chain of transmission of the disease, it added.
"Elderly people are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to their decreased immunity and body reserves, as well as multiple associated comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. "Also, course of disease tends to be more severe in case of elderlies, resulting in higher mortality," the advisory stated.
#Stayathome and send us your selfie
The ministry advised the elderly people to wash their hands and face at regular intervals with soap, stay at home, avoid meeting visitors at home and if such a meeting is essential, maintain a distance of at least one metre. It asked them to ensure proper nutrition through home-cooked, fresh, hot meals, hydrate frequently and take fresh juices to boost immunity.
DO's
1.
Stay
at
home.
Avoid
meeting
visitors
at
home.
If
meeting
is
essential,
maintain
a
distance
of
one
meter.
2.
Wash
your
hands
and
face
at
regular
intervals
with
soap
and
water.
3.
Sneeze
and
cough
either
into
your
elbow
or
into
tissue
paper
/
handkerchief
.
After
coughing
or
sneezing
dispose
of
the
tissue
paper/
wash
your
handkerchief.
4.
Ensure
proper
nutrition
through
home
cooked
fresh
hot
meals,
hydrate
frequently
and
take
fresh
juices
to
boost
immunity.
5.
Exercise
and
meditate.
6.
Take
your
daily
prescribed
medicines
regularly.
7.
Talk
to
your
family
members
(not
staying
with
you),
relatives,
friends
via
call
or
video
conferencing,
take
help
from
family
members
if
needed
8.
Postpone
your
elective
surgeries
(if
any)
like
cataract
surgery
or
total
knee
replacement
9.
Clean
the
frequently
touched
surfaces
with
disinfectant
regularly.
10.Monitor
your
health.
If
you
develop
fever,
cough
and/or
breathing
difficulty
immediately
contact
nearest
health
care
facility
and
follow
the
medical
advice
rendered
DON'Ts
1.
Do
not
cough
or
sneeze
into
your
bare
hands
or
without
covering
your
face.
2.
Don't
go
near
your
contacts
if
you
are
suffering
from
fever
and
cough.
3.
Don't
touch
your
eyes,
face,
nose
and
tongue.
4.
Don't
go
near
affected/
sick
people
.
5.
Don't
self-medicate.
6.
Don't
shake
hands
or
hug
your
friends
and
near
ones.
7.
Do
not
go
to
hospital
for
routine
checkup
or
follow
up.
As
far
as
possible
make
tele-consultation
with
your
healthcare
provider.
8.
Don't
go
to
crowded
places
like
parks,
markets
and
religious
places.
9.
Don't
go
out
unless
it
is
absolutely
essential.