Indus Hospital & Health Network Initiatives to Fight COVID-19

• From infected droplets of the person who has coughed or sneezed near you (within six feet).
• From close contact (touching, shaking hands) with an infected person.
• By touching surfaces that the virus has landed on, then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose before washing your hands.
• COVID-19 enters your body through your mouth, nose or eyes (directly from the airborne droplets or from transfer of the virus from your hands to your face). The virus travels to the back of your nasal passages and mucous membrane in the back of your throat. It attaches to cells there, begins to multiply and moves into lung tissue. From there, the virus can spread to other body tissues.

• People who live in or have recently traveled to any area with ongoing active spread.
• People who have had close contact with a person who has a laboratory-confirmed or a suspected case of the COVID-19 virus.
• People over age 60 who have pre-existing medical conditions or a weakened immune system.

• Fever (not always present)
• Difficulty breathing/Shortness of breath
• Cough

Other possible coronavirus symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Tiredness

Symptoms can range in severity from very mild to severe. In about 80% of patients, COVID-19 causes only mild symptoms. Symptoms can appear within 2 – 14 days after being exposed to the virus

• Feel sick with fever, cough or have difficulty breathing
• Have been in close contact with a person known or suspected to have COVID-19
• Live in or recently traveled from an area with ongoing active spread or for which there are travel alerts

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds— especially before eating and preparing food, after using the bathroom, after wiping your nose, and after coming in contact with someone who has a cold.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of viruses from your hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing and coughing or sneeze and cough into your sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash. Wash your hands afterward. Never cough or sneeze into your hands!
• Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with those who have coughs, colds or are sick. Stay home if you are sick.
• If you are prone to sickness or have a weakened immune system, stay away from large crowds of people. Follow the directions of your healthcare authorities especially during outbreaks.
• Clean frequently used surfaces (such as doorknobs and counter tops) with a virus-killing disinfectant.
• Use hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid shaking hands while greeting people. Instead, use lower-risk gestures such as elbow bumps, foot bumps, etc.
• Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of liquids and exercise if you are able. These steps will strengthen your immune system and enable you to fight off infections easier.

Quarantine is used to separate and restrict the movement of persons who may have been exposed to a prospective coronavirus carrier. These people may have been exposed to the infection and do not know it, or they may have the infection but do not show any symptoms. The quarantine can also help limit the spread of the infection. If you are returning from any country, you must self-isolate (stay at home) for 14 days. Self-isolation is an effective precautionary measure to protect those around you from contracting coronavirus:

• You can live with others during the 14 days, but you need to avoid close contact with them.
• Don’t share beds, linen or food.
• If possible, remain in a well-ventilated room.
• Keep the doors shut.
• Keep your toiletries separate.
• If you share bathroom with others, use it after everyone has used it.
• Ask friends or family to drop off anything you need or order supplies online.
• Keep in touch with others over the phone or internet.
• Do physical exercise to remain healthy.
• Don’t use public transport or taxis during self-isolation.