Kakinada: Maintain social distance to avoid Covid-19: Collector D Muralidhar Reddy

Kakinada: District Collector D Muralidhar Reddy directed the officials to strengthen the ongoing measures to prevent and contain Covid-19, the State government closed all educational institutions and University in the district. He conducted an awareness programme on Coronavirus for the employees in 'Spandana Hall' at the Collectorate on Thursday.

Speaking on occasion, the District Collector advised the students to stay at home and go for an online education. He said that those who have symptoms of coronavirus must consult the doctors immediately. He said that Covid-19 can affect any person irrespective of age and sex. He said that hand sanitizers will be made available in public places. So that people can wash hands and avoid contracting or spreading COVID-19 in the district. Recalling that World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, he stressed on the need for social distancing to prevent spread of the infection. Reddy advised that to follow normal Indian etiquette Namaste to greet others instead of handshake.

He advised parents not to take their children out unnecessarily. "If you are sick, avoid going out," he added. He said that drop all tour and temple visit tour plans now. "It is better to avoid visiting shopping malls and theatres."

He said that the Village Health Workers and ASHA workers and ANMs conducted door-to-door survey to look for people who returned from foreign countries and identified 630 people who returned from abroad. He said that if they suffer from symptoms like fever, cough and respiratory problems the health workers would send them to the GGH through 108-vehicle. They should undergo Covid-19 test and they should be kept minimum 14 days in home quarantine. He said that for the past one month 22 people had been admitted to GGH and they tested negative. Reddy suggested the people to make a habit of personal hygiene and stop spitting in public to prevent coronavirus from spreading.

District Medical Officer Dr B Satya Suseela, District Immunization Officer Dr Mallik and others were present.