Covid fatalities can be reduced as appropriate action including timely testing and hospitalisation can save precious lives, said Surveillance Medical Officer of World Health Organisation, Jammu, Dr Ravinder Pal Singh.‘It is the duty of every individual to protect oneself and his family against Covid-19 infection. The virus shows no mercy towards any individual’, warns the Doctor. However, he said that Covid is no taboo and the majority of the patients who contract the infection recover easily. ‘We can ensure prevention from the infection by avoiding three Cs- Crowded spaces, Closed spaces and Close contact’ advised the Doctor adding “The three can help make or break the chain of transmission of the virus.”Dr Ravinder Pal further urged the public to keep helping families in need while observing Covid appropriate behaviour. ‘Let us not make it a taboo. If some family in your neighbourhood has a Covid patient, do not ostracise them. Give them support, moral or otherwise. Most patients recover conveniently after infection’, he added.‘Many of the Covid fatalities can easily be prevented by timely testing and hospitalisation’, said Dr Ravinder sounding highly optimistic. He said that early detection and treatment can help save lives. “Don’t have any apprehension about the test. If you observe any symptoms in yourself or a family member, immediately go for a test. Have no stigma against it’, he pleaded.
Echoing similar views, Professor and Head of Department, Chest Disease, GMC Jammu, Dr Rahul Gupta urged the public to get vaccinated. He said that both the vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin are safe and have somewhat similar efficacy.The Professor dispelled all rumours about the vaccine and said, ‘I am myself vaccinated against the virus and therefore I can go about my job, am treating Covid patients with greater confidence and sense of security against fatal infection. Everybody should get vaccinated according to eligibility and available time slots’, he said.“Some mild side effects like fever, headache or nausea are natural and there is nothing to worry about if they appear after vaccination’ Dr Gupta added. On the contrary, he said, it comes due to the body’s immune-response, a sign that the vaccine is doing its job within your body.He advised that if the side effects persist even after two days, one should visit a health centre or consult a doctor.Meanwhile, the Doctors said that all Covid-related queries and doubts can be cleared on the helpline number 0191 2571616. Public can also call the Divisional Control Room at 0191-2520982, 2549676, 2674444, 2674115, 2674908. Moreover, J&K Government has started a live phone-in health programme on Gulistan TV channel which is aired twice daily- from 8:30 am to 9 am and 8:30 pm to 9 pm. The eminent doctors respond to public queries during the programme. Anybody from the public can call on the above-mentioned Divisional Control Room phone numbers and seek information related to Covid treatment, home isolation and other non-Covid health problems.