Health 15:26 27/02/2020 Armenia

Face masks, disinfectants, viruses, coronavirus: What to do to prevent and prepare

Although the number of acute respiratory infection cases seem to be dropping across Armenia, especially in schools and kindergartens, the public continue to be alarmed by the coronavirus outbreak which keeps spreading to new parts of the world.

Due to the seasonal increase in acute respiratory infections, people have no confidence in resisting the possible coronavirus outbreak in the country. They think if the seasonal infections failed to be prevented and children are getting sick for a second time, what would happen if the new virus hit the country.

Amid the absence of expert advice on the new virus prevention citizens take precautionary measures on their own. As a result, pharmacies in the country are short of face masks.

The coronavirus outbreak has already gripped Iran, Georgia has reported the first confirmed coronavirus case, while there are still no social advertisements and warning posters on the disease in Armenia. There is also a lack of public confidence that the country's Health Ministry has elaborated a policy to prevent or combat the virus.

The media outlets are trying to fill the gap by spreading reports on how to prepare for the possible spread of Covid-19 in Armenia.

However, experts are unable to make it clear how to difference between the flu and novel coronavirus and what measures to take to avoid getting sick. 

One of the reasons is that the novel coronavirus has the same symptoms as the influenza and a diagnostic test must be carried out to tell if a person is infected with coronavirus or not.

However, experts insist that certain rules should be followed to avoid any virus transmitted through the air.

Speaking to Panorama.am, epidemiologist Vladimir Davidyants stressed the need for a patient’s isolation as a basic step to prevent the spread of an infection.

He urged parents not to send their children with flu to school, keep them in a separate room and feed them with vitamin-rich food. He also called for ventilating the room of a flu patient and cleaning the dust several times a day.

“The patient should also wash his hands with running water. These are the simplest steps that a person with the flu should take,” Vladimir Davidyants said.

Deputy Director of Nork Infection Clinical Hospital Eduard Zardaryan advised people to carry disinfectants with them and to wipe hands with these substances several times a day.

“It is a priority for an infected citizen to wear a face mask when appearing in public places to prevent others from being infected. In addition, you must wash your hands constantly, and if there is no running water, such as when getting off public transport, you should clean your hands with disinfectants. People need to be aware of such measures. It is much more desirable for a patient to stay indoors. A school student should be treated at home first then go back to school,” Zardaryan said.

Asked about the alternative options amid surgical mask shortage in the country’s pharmacies, Eduard Zardaryan said that it is possible to make a face mask at home too using gauze, which however, cannot be used no longer than two hours.

“But I want to reiterate that sick people should stay at home not to infect others. And if they leave home, they must wear a face mask,” he said.

In schools and kindergartens, too, children need to repeatedly wash their hands, with experts stressing the importance of keeping classrooms ventilated and clean.

This requirement is most certainly met in few schools, as parents report that there is no soap or napkins in the schools. The Ministry of Health says that they provide schools with specific norms, which are monitored by the municipality and regional administrations. The health authorities visit schools only after receiving reports to monitor the sanitation conditions in the school buildings.

Speaking to Panorama.am, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Armenian Ministry of Health said that it is necessary to follow the rules of hand hygiene, as well as cough and sneeze hygiene in order not to get infected with coronavirus or acute respiratory diseases. When coughing or sneezing you should close your mouth and nose with an elbow or a napkin, throwing a napkin into a trash bin immediately after using it.

To prevent the disease, it is advisable to avoid unprotected contact with animals using personal protective equipment and thoroughly wash your hands after such a contact. Health officials also recommend overcooking the meat before using it.

Experts also advise people to consume plenty of fluids to get rid of toxic substances.

According to our interviewed doctors, dust in the air increases the risk of getting seasonal viruses, as many viruses survive longer in dust.

But what steps are being taken to clean the dusty air in the city?

Asked if the municipality is taking any measures to get rid of dust in the air, Yerevan Municipality spokesman Hakob Karapetyan said that the municipal authorities carry out greenization and supervise compliance of construction norms.

"With these two options we fight against dust in the air. The municipality’s functions are limited to these two,” Karapetyan said.

In response to our question whether there is any other way to clean the duty air, Karapetyan said that it is a narrow professional issue, maybe there is, but the municipality fights the air pollution with these two measures.

And perhaps no one fights the dust raised by the wind.



Source Panorama.am
Share |

Related news

Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:12
Armenia to face Georgia in Nations League play-off
The 2024/25 UEFA Nations League knockout stage and play-off ties have been confirmed following the draw in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday....
16:36
Hayk Marutyan agrees to debate with Tigran Avinyan
New Power party leader Hayk Marutyan has agreed to a TV debate with incumbent Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan. Marutyan, a former Yerevan...
15:45
Opposition politician: Pashinyan leading Armenia to 'final collapse'
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration is leading Armenia to the “final collapse” and Turkification, opposition...
15:05
Caretaker deputy justice minister sacked
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has signed a decree to dismiss Armenuhi Harutyunyan as Acting Deputy Minister of Justice....
14:35
Armenian parliament speaker confirms MP's resignation
National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan has issued a statement on the resignation of Narek Zeynalyan as an MP from Armenia’s ruling Civil...
14:06
Visa restricts media access to key event in Yerevan
Visa has restricted the media access to the Cashless Forum 2024 to be held in Yerevan for the first time on November 22. Only...
13:36
Orban says he will invite Netanyahu to Hungary after ICC warrant
Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday he would invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Hungary, saying he would guarantee...
13:11
Temps to plummet in Armenia
Clear weather is expected in Armenia's regions on Friday and over the weekend. Rain and snow are forecast for most parts of the country...
12:32
Alexis Ohanian showcases rare Armenian coin
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian has showcased a rare Armenian coin from 95 BC featuring Tigranes the Great, a famous Armenian king....
12:16
German foreign minister criticizes Azerbaijan's human rights record
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized the human rights record of Azerbaijan during her first appearance at the UN Climate Change...
12:06
Minister shares new images captured by Armenia's first satellite
Armenia's Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan has shared new satellite images from orbit captured by ARMSAT-1,...
11:36
World Cadet Chess Championship passes its halfway mark
The 2024 World Cadet Chess Championship has passed its halfway mark in Montesilvano, Italy. After 6 rounds, in the Open 12 category CM...
11:15
Iran to launch 'new and advanced centrifuges' in response to IAEA censure
Iran said Friday it would launch a series of "new and advanced" centrifuges in response to a resolution adopted by the IAEA that...
11:00
Armenian, Iranian foreign ministers hold phone call
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Thursday had a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi....
17:07
Winter military draft starts in Armenia on November 25
The winter conscription for compulsory military service starts in Armenia on November 25 to run through January 31, 2025. The...
16:45
Russian spokeswoman told not to comment on ballistic missile strike live on air
Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova received a phone call during a live press briefing on Thursday telling her not to...
16:33
Belgian politicians call for immediate release of all Armenian prisoners held in Baku
In the backdrop of the COP29 currently taking place in Baku 20 members of the Belgian Federal Parliament, the Flemish Parliament, the Walloon...
16:06
Armenia thwarts large-scale drug smuggling attempt
Officers of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee (SRC) have foiled an attempt to smuggle some 1,600 grams of cocaine into the country as part...
15:33
Armenian government reduces financial aid for Artsakh refugees
The Armenian government on Thursday approved a decision to reduce financial aid for the displaced Artsakh Armenians. Starting from...
14:45
Percival Everett wins National Book Award
Percival Everett has won the $10,000 National Book Award for fiction, one of the US’s most prestigious literary prizes, for James, his...
14:35
Pyunik v West Armenia match canceled
An Armenian Premier League match between FC Pyunik and West Armenia has been canceled. The 17th round match was scheduled for November 21....
14:06
Armenian Foreign Ministry denies cooperation with Azerbaijan on water management
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has denied claims of cooperation with Azerbaijan on transboundary water resources management. In a social...
13:36
No rain in sight for rest of the week
Clear weather is expected in Armenia's regions from Thursday to Sunday.  Rain and snow are forecast for most parts of the country...
13:06
Pashinyan thanks dismissed officials for cooperation
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude to the dismissed top government officials for joint work and wished good luck to...
12:36
Armenian church marks Presentation of Virgin Mary
The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, November 21. According to tradition,...
12:15
Luxembourg's parliament demands immediate release of all unlawfully imprisoned persons in Azerbaijan
Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies has adopted a resolution condemning the Azerbaijani government’s sanctions against the freedom of...
12:00
Davit Khudatyan appointed minister of territorial administration
Armavir Governor Davit Khudatyan has been appointed Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. Armenian President Vahagn...
11:45
Australia launches bill to ban social media for children under 16
Australia's centre-left government on Thursday introduced a bill in parliament that aims to ban social media for children under 16 and...
11:30
Armenia's Andranik Avetisyan wins gold at World Military Wrestling Championships
The 37th World Military Wrestling Championships kicked off in Yerevan, Armenia, on Wednesday, bringing together 400 participants...
11:10
Leopard missing for two years spotted in Armenia's Tavush
A leopard, that lost its front paw and disappered from Armenia's Vayots Dzor Province in December 2022, has been spotted in...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}