Kiphire, March 28 (MExN): Department of Health & Family Welfare, Kiphire district conducted the last phase of training on COVID-19 at District Hospital conference hall, Kiphire, on March 28.
Dr TY Apila Sangtam MO, epidemiologist Dr Dheni, and Dr Hedungkiebe DTO, trained the medical staff of Kiphire district hospital and office of the Chief Medical Officer, a press release from the CMO’s District Media Officer stated.
Dr Dheni talked about the symtoms, the do’s and don’ts with regard to COVID-19. He said that the common symptoms of the coronavirus are fever, fatigue, dry cough, difficulty in breathing, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and rhinorhea. He encouraged the participants to avoid gathering, travelling together, and to avoid close contact with anyone. He also encouraged frequent washing of hands for 60 seconds.
Dr Dheni further mentioned there are two types of contact: high risk group and low risk group. High risk group are people who come in direct contact with patients without gloves and masks and those who live in the same house or who travels with patients, whereas, low risk groups are people who share the same space without high risk exposure. He said only sample testing of throat is carried out for low risk group while adding that presently there is no recommended drugs for low risk group.
Speaking about the rural areas, Dr Dheni said that if one person is tested positive in a village, the whole village will be home quarantined. He added that in such a scenario, parameter control is the most important—for which rapid response team comprising of ASHAs and Anganwadi workers are formed to monitor them. There will also be one supervising officer to visit the suspected house.
Dr Sangtam spoke about the donning and doffing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), along with demonstration by a nurse. The demonstration covered about the procedure to wear shoe covers, gowns, masks, N95 masks (to be worn only by person who would come in direct contact with patients), spectacles, caps and gloves. Subsequent demonstration was about the removal of PPE. After every removal hand sanitisation should be carried out. The removed items are disposed off in the red bin and yellow bin.
Dr Hedungkiebe on behalf of the CMO’s office thanked all the participants. He also explained about the use of masks which he said should be worn properly without letting the air in and appealed the public not to panic but practise hygiene as it will go a long way not only at this time of pandemic but also through their entire lives.
