The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has opened a new hotline number for any coronavirus related queries.
Prof Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Director of the government’s disease monitoring wing, urged all to call number – 0194433322 – for any coronavirus related advice or services.
“This number is dedicated for coronavirus related information and services,” she said at a regular press briefing on Wednesday.
Banglalink subscribers can call toll free, the director said, adding that they are working with other operators to make the number completely toll-free.
Meanwhile, there were no new patients in the last 24 hours while two of the three affected have recovered.
“We received a total of 3,225 calls in the last 24 hours, of which 3,145 were corona-related. Also, in the last 24 hours, 10 people were tested but none of them was found infected with the virus,” said Prof Flora. The IEDCR has so far tested 142 suspected people for coronavirus.
She once again urged people not to be panicked, rather be aware of the disease which has no treatment. Prevention that includes washing hands with soap and cover cough and sneezing with issue or handkerchief is the key.
People have been also asked to follow personal hygiene like avoiding eyes, nose and mouth contact, and maintain at least one metre (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Viruses that affect the respiratory system enter the body through mucosal membranes which are found in the nose, oral cavity and lips. With poor hand hygiene, it is easy to acquire a viral infection this way.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea.
Most people (about 80 percent) recover from the disease without needing special treatment, according to the WHO.
Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.
