Different Stages of Coronavirus Outbreak and Popular Myths

Understanding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Precautionary Measures in Nepal

What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus is a newly discovered virus causing the infectious disease known as COVID-19. It spreads primarily through small droplets from the nose or mouth when an infected person coughs or exhales.

Four Stages of Virus Spread:

Imported Cases: Virus enters through infected travelers returning from abroad.
Local Transmission: Spread to people who have come in contact with those infected travelers.
Communal Transmission: New infections occur among people with no travel history or known contact with infected individuals.
Epidemic: Widespread, uncontrolled transmission affecting the entire country (e.g., Iran, Italy, China).

Nepal’s Precautionary Measures to Contain COVID-19:

Ban on arrivals from affected countries until April 15.
Minimize movement outside homes.
Prohibition of gatherings over 25 people.
Closure of movie halls, stadiums, gyms, nightclubs, and other entertainment venues until April 30.
Suspension of academic classes until April 12.
Hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls required to use disinfectants, hand sanitizers, and conduct health screenings.
Non-essential services by private and public sectors halted; essential services like banking, electricity, food distribution continue.
Suspension of long-haul transport and all international flights.

Role of Companies and Individuals

Everyone has a responsibility to help minimize virus spread, especially in workplaces. [Link for workplace guidelines]

Fighting Misinformation: WHO Myth-Busters

Myth	Fact
Virus does not spread in hot climates	COVID-19 can spread in all climates and regions.
Thermal scanners detect the virus	Scanners detect fever, not the virus itself.
Eating garlic kills the virus	Garlic is healthy but does not prevent or cure COVID-19.
Only elderly or sick people affected	People of all ages can catch COVID-19; elderly and sick are more vulnerable.
Antibiotics cure COVID-19	Antibiotics treat bacteria, not viruses; they may be given for bacterial co-infections.