• Mad race for procuring masks is not good, as a healthy person do not need them
• Masks are required for Covid-19 suspected and infected persons and those in close touch with them, including doctors and para medical staff who treat them
• Wash hands properly at frequent intervals using soap, or sanitizer with at least 70 per cent alcohol content
• Avoid visiting crowded places
• Maintain at least 6ft distance from any person
• Around 90 to 95 per cent of Covid-19 cases are mild, of which 97 per cent cases do not need serious medical intervention
• Only infected people of the age group of 70-80 years have a mortality rate of 7 per cent, while for people of above 80 years of age the death rate is 21 per cent
• People having other underlying illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid and rheumatoid arthritis have higher chances of infection and death from the novel coronavirus

These were some of the points highlighted by doctors at a meeting of the teachers’ association of Patliputra Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) here on Thursday.

At the meeting, doctors demystified the myths shrouding the Covid-19 pandemic, and urged people to take precautions but not panic.

PMCH principal Shailendra Kumar and superintendent Arun Kumar, head of department of medicine U.K. Ojha and A. Rana from the preventive and social medicine department were present during the meeting and sensitisation programme that was conducted under the chairmanship of PMCH teachers’ association president D.P. Bhushan.

“Ojha has been appointed as in-charge of the coronavirus cell and people can clarify their doubts by contacting him,” said Bhushan, adding that the PMCH has isolation wards where suspected patients can be accommodated for 14 days.

“We also have a facility for personal protective equipment for the treating doctors and paramedical staff of the isolation ward,” said Bhushan.

The district administration arranged drive to disinfect government offices, including the district collectorate and the court.

Principal district and sessions judge of Dhanbad Basant Kumar Goswami, along with the court officials, on Thursday carried out an inspection of the Dhanbad court, including the court rooms, bar library, lawyer seating area and supervised the measures initiated by the court administration to decongest the premises and ensure crowds do not gather.

A help desk has also been put up at the PMCH to clarify any information on Covid-19.