New Delhi: In view of the spurt in coronavirus cases globally and to prevent a fresh outbreak of the disease, AIIMS and other hospitals in the city have issued an advisory for their employees to reinforce Covid-appropriate behaviour. They have also been asked to encourage patients and their attendants to follow suit.Dr Sanjeev Lalwani, AIIMS medical superintendent, issued an office memorandum stating that preventive measures, such as using masks and washing of hands with soap or sanitiser, should be taken. It added that gatherings of five or more people at any place in the offices or canteens should be avoided and strict disinfection protocols should be followed as per guidelines.“Employees who are at a higher risk — older or pregnant employees and those who have underlying medical conditions — should take extra precautions,” the memorandum said, adding all officials are advised to take care of their own health and look out for symptoms such as fever and respiratory trouble.If an employee feels unwell, the person should leave the workplace immediately after informing the reporting officer, the advisory said. Such employees should observe home quarantine and get tested for Covid, it added.Additional medical superintendent of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia hospital, Dr Dheeraj Bahl, also issued a similar advisory stating that social distancing and other norms should be followed.Dr BL Sherwal, medical superintendent, Safdarjung Hospital, said the hospital has strengthened Covid protocols across all wards and OPDs.“In case a patient comes to the hospital with symptoms, the person will be admitted to zone one superspeciality block, which is dedicated for Covid. It has 162 beds,” he said.Dr Suresh Kumar, medical director, Lok Nayak Hospital, said, “All Covid protocols are being followed and doctors have been updated since there is a spurt in global cases.”He added samples of those testing positive for Covid will be sent for genome sequencing to check if it is the new Omicron variant, i.e., BF.7.Meanwhile, Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also issued an advisory to its state and local branches to take preparatory measures in case of an outbreak. It has also appealed to its members to work proactively to combat the virus.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/hospitals-issue-advisory-mask-up-follow-covid-appropriate-behaviour/articleshow/96435034.cms