Don’t panic, use common sense and follow some simple precautions — this was chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s advice to the people of Bengal on Friday to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus. State and central government institutions will “work as a family” in fighting the challenge immediately, Mamata said after chairing a coordination meeting with different agencies at Nabanna. On at least three occasions, the chief minister said there was no need to panic while underlining the need for prudence in fighting what WHO has termed a “global health emergency”.

DIAL HELP

• 24x7 call centre: 1800-313-444-222
• Anyone can call up and seek assistance
• Helpline: 033 2341-2600
• Anyone can call up to clear doubts related to the coronavirus, its symptoms and care

NUMBER CRUNCH

• No. of people screened at airports and land checkposts in Bengal: 1,42,811
• No. of foreign travellers screened at Bengal airports: 1,541
• No. of persons put in isolation in Bengal: 34
• No. of persons sent to isolation wards on Friday: 2
• No. of persons who tested positive for coronavirus in Bengal: None

The fingers and the gaps between the fingers need to be rubbed and cleaned properly to ensure that all germs are gone. WHO advises rotational rubbing and cleaning the backs of the fingers with fingers interlocked

DOS AND DON’TS

What to do

• Wash your hands, preferably every hour, using a handwash. Take care to clean the nails, the middle of your palm and inside the fingers
• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm. Cover your mouth and nose with a folded arm in such a way that both the mouth and nose are covered. This will prevent the spread of germs
• Keep a tissue with you at all times so that you can use it to cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue in a bin after every use
• In case of fever, visit a doctor and take medicines. Coughing and sneezing doesn’t mean you have contracted the disease. Be calm
• If you have been coughing for sometime or have fever, stay in a separate room in your house and rest for 14 days. This will help ensure that others are not infected
• Take care of the health of your domestic help, driver and others who help in the house regularly
• Schoolgoing kids are the most vulnerable. Care should be taken for their proper cleanliness

What not to do

• Don’t panic. Not every fever is because of the coronavirus. Panic will give rise to more panic
• Don’t spit on the road. Keep your surroundings as clean as possible. Don’t litter or spit even on the sly, when no one is watching you
• Don’t try self-medication. Always consult a doctor

The fingertips and nails of all fingers of both hands should also be cleaned carefully. Make sure that the handwash or sanitiser reaches under the nails

STATE OF PREPAREDNESS

• Isolation wards set up in district hospitals along with those at medical colleges across Calcutta
• Quick Response Team (QRT) at each of these hospitals to handle any emergency
• Advisory sent to all private hospitals on what to do and how to handle any suspected coronavirus case
• Government ready with personal protective equipment and masks
• Central organisations, including railway, port and airport authorities, to set up information centres along with the health department

SCREENING

• Efforts launched to screen those entering through land checkposts across the state, including Bongaon, Jaigaon, Phulbari and Changrabandha
• Inland Water Transport authority to set up screening facilities for those disembarking either at Haldia port or in Calcutta
• State to ask airport authorities to try and maintain records of fliers at domestic terminal.

AWARENESS PITCH

• Government to release ads with an advisory on dos and don'ts.
• Five officials sent to attend a WHO training programme in Delhi
• Separate training module being drawn up for health department staff