Written By: Dr. KK Aggarwal

Published On: 21 Dec, 2021 7:44 AM | Updated On: 30 Oct, 2024 6:03 PM

WHO Declares The Outbreak Of The Coronavirus As A Pandemic

The World Health Organization has declared the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 as pandemic because there are now over 118,000 infected cases in 124 countries across the globe.

As per the WHO, pandemic means the “universal spread of a new disease”. There is no specific criteria for the level of pandemic and there is no threshold of cases or deaths that produces the definition.

India has quarantined itself form the Western countries.

India has suspended visas due to the danger of the novel coronavirus after been declared a pandemic by the WHO.

India's government is taking strong measures to restrict the possible epidemic of the coronavirus in a country that has over a billion people.

As per the latest instructions from India’s Bureau of Immigration, travelers (that includes Indian citizens) entering in India, who had visited China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, France, Spain, and Germany on or after Feb. 15, 2020, will be kept under quarantine for 14 days.

The country will also start a medical screening at its land borders and are taking strict actions such as requesting Indians in Italy to provide health certificates.

These steps are necessary as cases in India are rising rapidly with a total of 74 cases till now.

India has instructed and made it mandatory universal screening at all airports in the country due to the rapid spread of coronavirus infection.

Thermal screening are already mounted at 21 airports of India to check for coronavirus or COVID-19 in India. Widespread screening is made compulsory for flights from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand at the aero-bridges ear-marked for the purpose.

Screening measures have been started at almost 12 major seaports, 65 minor seaports and land borders.

People should recognize any person having cold, cough and fever, isolate them. Make them wear a surgical mask. Wherever he has contaminated the surfaces, decontaminate it with 0.1% bleach. 

Also, if possible work from home and decontaminate the surfaces where you work and regularly wash hands with soap and water. One can also use 60% alcohol to sanitize hands.

Sneeze or cough in a handkerchief or a tissue and then discard that tissue. If tissues or handkerchiefs are not handy with you, then sneeze or cough inside your elbow. Wash your hands before eating anything and after sneezing and coughing.

Adapted from sources:

https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/coronavirus-outbreak-india-italy-iran-china-total-confirmed-cases/story/397950.html 

https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/11/21156325/coronavirus-pandemic-who-declares-covid-19-outbreak-global-h1n1