Panic is what people should avoid in these times of lockdown, doctors have urged.

With families staying indoors, many are confused what precautions they should take, so The Telegraph contacted a couple of doctors in the steel city for clear-cut guidelines on dos and don’ts.

First thing they said was that people need to stop believing in everything they come across on WhatsApp and other social media. Basic hygiene can keep a family safe, they stressed.

“People are anxious, the reason being a tsunami of information from various sources,” said Dr (Capt) N.N. Jha, a practising general physician in Jamshedpur. “Any family which is at home in this period is practically safe unless a member of the family goes out and comes back.

“However, as a precaution, even simple steps like leaving your shoes outside, washing your hands and sanitizing it properly and putting your clothes for laundry. That’s all,” he added.

The doctors said in case any family member feels that they have symptoms of the flu, they need to follow normal distancing.

However, if the body temperature rises, dry cough becomes intense followed by fatigue, one should definitely go for a Covid-19 test by approaching the nearest government hospital.

This also depends on the patient's health history and being honest with oneself if they have come in close contact with an outsider.

“The incubation period for Covid-19 is between two to 14 days so the identification for anyone can be difficult,” said Dr. T.K. Mohanty, general physician and senior chest consultant with Meditrina Hospitals in Adityapur.

“The (novel) coronavirus exists in three stages — mild, which is like any other flu; moderate where you have high temperature, dry cough and fatigue; and severe. The moment you think you have fatigue, one should go for a test,” Mohanty added.

Doctors said family members who come from outside should not only sanitize themselves but also maintain a considerable distance from senior citizens, who are more vulnerable.

The doctors, however, also felt that the process of dissemination of information on the pandemic from various sources has created anxiety and it could have been handled better. “The problem is everyone has become an expert based on information from social media platforms,” said Dr Jha. “Also, the government should have had a proper committee of doctors who could have been the only spokespersons on this disease across platforms.”

Anyone with Covid-19 signs should immediately report to the nearest government health centre. Dr Mohanty said the person who accompanies the patient should maintain at least 2m distance. The patient should wear a mask. The attendant should immediately take a shower on return and wash the clothes.