Gurugram braces for corona challenge; health advisory issued

Gurugram: District administration of here, on Tuesday, issued a health advisory to the residents on the precautionary measures to be taken in the wake of coronavirus threat.

The administration also issued helpline numbers, 0124-2322412 or 9911519296. of the Health Department in this regard. These telephone numbers will be operational 24x7 to assist the people having problems like fever, cough or difficulty in breathing.

Meanwhile, the Health Department has made all arrangements in the district with adequate N95 masks, triple masks, VTL masks, PPE kits etc.

A rapid response team has been formed which will act promptly. A separate ward has been created for 20 beds in the district's civil hospital. A total of 12 private hospitals have been identified by the district administration for separate wards for suspected cases of coronavirus. 

These hospitals have a provision of 70 beds and 52 ventilators. Medical authorities have also been given the training to deal with coronavirus infection. An advisory has also been issued to all private hospitals to report suspected case to the department.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Amit Khatri said people were being made aware about the coranavirus threat as the administration is serious about the threat. 

He said, "Simple measures can be adopted to prevent the spread of the infection. The number of foreigners coming to Gurugram is more as compared to any other district of the state. So, we expect those coming from abroad to take some certain precautions."

As for the precautions to be taken, the deputy commissioner said, "If a person has come from China in the last 15 days or had been in contact with someone infected with the coronavirus, he/she should stay in isolation for at least 14 days.”

He suggested that they should observe basic hygiene, such as covering nose and mouth with a handkerchief or tissue while sneezing, wash hands regularly with soap and keep a distance from anyone having symptoms of cough, cold or fever.

Symptoms of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 called COVID-19 include common cold, fever, shortness of breath which can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 92,000 cases were confirmed worldwide.