Corona Updates

"Precaution is better than cure". We all are well aware of this fact & this what renowned Dr Vinod Joshi from Ahmedabad, Gujarat also wants to emphasize on right now as this is the best solution there is looking at the current deadly scenario caused by COVID-19 that is faced by not just our country but, the world altogether.  Dr Vinod Vasantray Joshi belongs to Kutch Abdasa Kothara Village, now living in Ahmedabad from past three decades.   Giving his tireless & persistent contribution to the medical field for more than 30 years & practicing in Ahmedabad, Dr Vinod Joshi explains the health crisis in simple words to describe the seriousness of it & says that when a fire bursts out, people generally run out of their homes to safeguard themselves, but Coronavirus acts like a fire that is outside our homes & hence it becomes mandatory for people to remain at their homes to avoid the wildfire named COVID-19 to safeguard themselves & their...

Faith-based organizations (FBOs) and leaders can play a major role in saving lives and reducing illness related to COVID-19. They are a primary source of support and comfort for their members.  Often trusted more than governments or health-agencies, faith leaders can share health information to protect their communities that will be more likely to be accepted than from other sources.  By sharing simple steps to prevent COVID-19 faith organizations can promote helpful information, reduce fear and stigma, and provide reassurance to people in their communities.  Because faith leaders are integrated into their communities through service and compassionate networks, they are often able to reach the most vulnerable among us with assistance and health information. In short, they are a critical link in the safety net for vulnerable people in their communities.  Advice Recommendations for faith-based organizations (FBOs) to ensure safe gatherings (where permitted) Follow loca...

COVID-19 spread is emotionally challenging for many people, changing day-to-day life in unprecedented ways. All sections of society – including employers and employees – should play a role to protect themselves and each other and help prevent further spread of the disease. WHO is providing advice and updated information on COVID-19, and on how employers can protect their employees, what measures they should take in the workplace and other related factors. Guidance GETTING YOUR WORKPLACE READY FOR COVID-19:  Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 WHO and public health authorities around the world are taking action to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. However, long term success cannot be taken for granted. All sections of our society – including businesses and employers – must play a role if we are to stop the spread of this disease. Access the document RISK COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: A guide to preventing and addressing social stigma associated with COVID-19 Social...

The health sector, including healthcare workers and professionals are the backbone of a country's defenses to save lives and limit the spread of disease. They play a central and critical role in global response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare workers face higher risks of potential COVID-19 infection in their efforts to protect the greater community and are exposed to hazards such as psychological distress, fatigue and stigma.  WHO is providing essential advice, guidance and training for the health sector in critical areas from infection prevention and control, clinical management to health care worker rights and protection and mental health.   Advice Recommendations for health workers with high risk for infection: Stop all health care interaction with patients for a period of 14 days after the last day of exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 patient; Be tested for COVID-19 virus infection; Quarantine for 14 days in a designated setting. Recommendations for health work...

The travel and tourism sector and the people who work in it are often hugely impacted when global outbreaks occur. WHO is providing updated advice and guidance for the travel and tourism sector to help protect their employees and address critical issues, concerns, and questions in regards to travel recommendations and advice and detailed guidance on what the sector could do support minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Guidance MANAGEMENT OF ILL TRAVELLERS AT POINTS OF ENTRY: Management of ill travellers at Points of Entry – international airports, seaports and ground crossings – in the context of COVID -19 outbreak This document aims to provide advice on the detection and management of ill travellers suspected of COVID-19 infection, at international airports, ports and ground crossings. Access the document   PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE FOR AVIATION SECTOR: Handbook for the Management of Public Health Events in Air Transport The target audience for this guidance document i...

Individuals and communities Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Most people who become infected experience mild or moderate symptoms and recover, but the disease can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others. Basic protective measures for everyone Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly Why?  We frequently use our hands to touch objects and surfaces that may be contaminated. Without realizing it, we then touch our faces, transferring viruses to our eyes, nose and mouth where they can infect us. Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands – including the new coronavirus.  Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth Why?  Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus c...

What is COVID-19? COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Are people living with HIV at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19?   People living with HIV (PLHIV) who have not achieved viral suppression through antiretroviral treatment may have a compromised immune system that leaves them vulnerable to opportunistic infections and further disease progression.  At present there is no evidence to suggest that there is an increased risk of infection and increased severity of illness for PLHIV and there is currently no reported case of COVID-19 infection among PLHIV, though this can rapidly change as the virus spreads.  We know that during the SARS and MERS outbreaks there were only a few case reports of mild disease among PLHIV. Current clinical data suggest the main mortality risk factors are linked t...

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, comparisons have been drawn to influenza. Both cause respiratory disease, yet there are important differences between the two viruses and how they spread. This has important implications for the public health measures that can be implemented to respond to each virus. How are COVID-19 and influenza viruses similar? Firstly, COVID-19 and influenza viruses have a similar disease presentation. That is, they both cause respiratory disease, which presents as a wide range of illness from asymptomatic or mild through to severe disease and death. Secondly, both viruses are transmitted by contact, droplets and fomites. As a result, the same public health measures, such as hand hygiene and good respiratory etiquette (coughing into your elbow or into a tissue and immediately disposing of the tissue), are important actions all can take to prevent infection.    How are COVID-19 and influenza viruses different? The speed of transmission is an imp...

How large does a meeting or event need to be in order to be a “mass gathering”? High profile international sporting events such as the Olympics or World Cups as well as international religious events such as the Hajj count as mass gatherings. However, lower profile conferences and events can also meet WHO’s definition of a mass gathering. An event counts as a “mass gatherings” if the number of people it brings together is so large that it has the potential to strain the planning and response resources of the health system in the community where it takes place. You need to consider the location and duration of the event as well as the number of participants. For example, if the event takes place over several days in a small island state where the capacity of the health system is quite limited then even an event with just a few thousand participants could place a big strain on the health system and then be considered a “mass gathering” event. Conversely, if the event is held in a big cit...