Fever
Dry cough
Breathing difficulty
Some patients also have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea
About 80% of confirmed cases recover from the disease without any serious complications. However, one out of every six people who get COVID-19 can become seriously ill* and develop difficulty in breathing. In more severe cases, infection can cause severe pneumonia and other complications, which can be treated only at higher level facilities (District Hospitals and above). In a few cases it may even cause death.
How does COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 spreads mainly by droplets produced as a result of coughing or sneezing of a COVID-19 infected person. This can happen in two ways:
Direct close contact: one can get the infection by being in close contact with COVID-19 patients (within one Meter of the infected person), especially if they do not cover their face when coughing or sneezing.
Indirect contact: the droplets survive on surfaces and clothes for many days. Therefore, touching any such infected surface or cloth and then touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes can transmit the disease.
The incubation period of COVID-19 (time between getting the infection and showing symptoms) is
1 to 14 days
Some people with the infection, but without any serious symptoms, can also spread the disease.
Which group of people are at higher risk of getting infected?
People who have travelled to other countries in the last 14 days and their family members.
People coming from other states if they have been working with people who travelled to other countries in last 14 days.
Family members and contacts of patients confirmed to have COVID-19.
People older than 60 years of age and people with medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems, respiratory disease/asthma, cancer or diabetes are at higher risk for developing serious complications
Key messages to spread for prevention of COVID-19
How to avoid getting COVID-19 or spreading it?
a. Practice Social Distancing:
Avoid gatherings such as groups, hafts, gatherings in religious places, social functions etc.
Maintain a safe distance of at least one Meter between you and other people when in public places, especially if they are having symptoms such as cough, fever etc. to avoid direct droplet contact.
Stay at home as much as possible.
Avoid physical contact like handshakes, hand holding or hugs.
Avoid touching surfaces such as table tops, chairs, door handles etc.
b. Practice good hygiene
Wash your hands frequently using soap and water:
After coming home from outside or meeting other people, especially if they are ill.
After having touched your face, coughing or sneezing.
Before preparing food, eating or feeding children.
Before and after using toilet, cleaning etc
While coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief.
Wash the handkerchief at least daily
It is preferable to cough/sneeze into your bent elbow rather than your palms.
Do not spit or shout in public places to avoid the spread of droplets.
Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands.
Ensure that the surfaces and objects are regularly cleaned.
What to do if you are having symptoms or have travelled to other countries or states in the past two weeks?
� Symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal respiratory illness (common cold/flu) are similar. All people with these symptoms may not have COVID-19.
� Following persons should be quarantined for 14 days at home as a precaution:
People who have travelled to COVID- 19 affected countries/areas in past 14 days
Those who have come in close contact with a suspected/confirmed COVID-19 patient
Those who develop symptoms
� These persons should inform you. If symptoms become severe, then the person should visit a health facility after speaking with you.
Your role in early detection and referral
As a community worker you may be asked to prepare a line list of all people who have travelled to other countries or other states inside India in the last 14 days:
Share their names with your Medical Officer at PHC but not with others
Teach them Home Quarantine for next 14 days
Tell them to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19
Tell them to inform you if symptoms develop and call the COVID-19 Helpline
Instructions for the person being Home Quarantined
Stay in a separate room at home, if possible, with an attached/separate toilet. Try to maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from others
Wear a mask at all times. If masks are not available, take a clean cotton cloth, fold it into a double layer and tie it on your face to cover your nose and mouth
Use separate dishes, towels, bedding etc. which should be cleaned separately
The surfaces such as floor, table tops, chairs, door handles etc. should be cleaned at least once a day
Make sure that only one assigned family member is the caretaker
Instructions for the caretaker of the Home Quarantined person:
Keep a distance of one meter when entering the room
Wear a mask or cover your face with double layered cotton cloth
Wash your hands after coming out of the room How to use masks (or cloth, covering the nose and mouth)
Wash your hands before putting on the mask
Make sure that it covers both mouth and nose and is not loose.
Do not touch the mask from the front, touch only from the sides.
Make sure to wash your hands after changing the mask
Change the mask every 6-8 hours or when it becomes moist
If using disposable masks, have a dustbin with cover and a plastic bag lining to throw the masks in.
If using cloth masks, wash them at least daily
Do not spit or shout in public places to avoid the spread of droplets.
Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands.
Ensure that the surfaces and objects are regularly cleaned.
For any COVID-19 related queries, call your State Helpline/Ministry of
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