COVID-19 can be Reduced by 75% via Social Distancing & Hand Washing: Assam Health Minister

Dispur, March 24, 2020:

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the Assembly on March 24, stated that the COVID-19 can be reduced by 75% by practicing social distancing and the frequent washing of hands. Moreover, he cautioned the elderly and those with weak lungs to take extra precautions so as not to catch the virus that has killed 16,586 people across the world.

The Minister also said that there are 20 laboratories are conducting research to develop a vaccine to stop the virus dead in its tracts. He said, "In some cases, there are animal trials, in some human trials, in some cases there is effort to find out the RNA. The US has reported a human trial; whereas, Germany and Israel have also advanced far in their efforts to develop vaccination.

Informing the Assembly about the nature of the disease, the H"Coronavirus or COVID-19 spreads to the lungs, wherein it creates a pneumonia-like situation in the lungs, and in the ICU after the giving of artificial oxygen, a person recovers, and in some cases, the person does not recover."

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WHO has also notified 3 days ago that the virus can also spread via air; if a person has more immunity, when the virus or bacteria, we can fight with anti-biotics; but when the virus enters, immunity repels the viruses. "If our immunity is strong, a person might not even show any symptoms." The Minister also said that the virus can exist on surfaces, but if a person after touching the surface, touches the nose, eyes, and mouth, the virus could manifest itself in the human body.

The Minister also informed that a person whose immunity is strong can also play football, but will be a carrier. Thus, if he transmits the virus to a susceptible person, it could lead to danger. The Minister also informed that children have immunity to the disease, but patients with co-morbidity conditions -- such as heart disease, bronchitis, hypertension, etc -- are more susceptible to be afflicted by the virus.

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"Italy is an ageing society, which is why the mortality is more", Sarma said, adding that in an ideal country like India, where young, middle aged and old are in correct percentages, the mortality rate will be around 3%. Sarma also informed that India has reported 504 cases till the morning and 10 have died, and the country is in Stage-II of the outbreak, adding the number of testing kits will increase.

The Minister said that in January 7-8 the scanning at airports had already started in India, however, in other countries, the disease has reached Stage-I, Stage-II, and Stage-III. Himanta also informed that 5% of the people afflicted by the COVID-19 are in "serious condition", especially in the "ageing countries." Citing the example of America, where the cases are rising exponentially and over 46,000 cases have been recorded, Biswa Sarma stated. "Within 2-3 days, it seems the US is set to bypass Italy", Sarma also said.

Note: Assam will go into complete lockdown mode at 6 PM in the evening.

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