1 year on, prevention norms key to stem COVID-19 spread: Expert

One year after the first case of COVID19 was detected in Maharashtra use of masks physical distancing hand hygiene and vaccination remain the key tools to contain spread of the viral infection says an expertOn March 9 last year a Punebased couple who had returned from a Dubai trip tested positive for coronavirus Their daughter and a cab driver who had ferried the family from Mumbai to Pune also tested positive for the viral infection the next dayThe couple was admitted to the civicrun Naidu Infectious Diseases Hospital here and recovered from the disease after some days Their daughter and the cab driver also recovered Talking to PTI while recounting the outbreak of the disease in the state Naidu Infectious Diseases Hospital superintendent Dr Sudhir Patsute said even before the detection of the first case the medical facility was prepared to handle any situationWe had done our training and required homework well in advance and as a result we could achieve what we wanted to in terms of handling the situation he said Dr Patsute said people followed the COVID19 prevention protocols in 2020 and as a result the spread of the virus could be contained by the yearendHowever it seems for the last three months the grip over the caution has loosened As a result we are now seeing a spike in cases he said Dr Patsute appealed to people to wear face mask follow physical distancing and hand hygiene and take the vaccine against COVID19We cannot get rid of the coronavirus forever but these are the key tools to contain the number of cases and the mortality rate he said He said fortunately the vaccine is available free of cost in government hospitals for people aged above 60 and those between 45 to 59 years of age with comorbiditiesIf we immunise this category we will be able to control the COVID19 cases and the death rate he said Pune resident Jivandhar Awati 51 who and his wife were the first to test positive for the viral infection in the state last year also appealed to people to take the vaccine and follow all the COVID19 prevention normsThe coronavirus has changed our lives completely The initial days of isolation after testing positive were tough but we remained mentally fit and overcame the fear he told PTI Awati also said that a few months after recovering from the disease he donated his plasma to save the lives of other patients He said the viral infection has taught him about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and regular exerciseThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever