BeMC Conducts Webinar to Guide Diabetic People on COVID-19 Precautions

Berhampur: The Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) has conducted a webinar on the theme of Diabetes & COVID-19.

Noted Endocrinologist Dr Sunil Kota participated in the webinar as resource person.

He guided the diabetic people about the various preventive measures to avoid COVID-19 infection.

Diabetes is associated with reduced immunity leading to higher occurrence of infections.

Diabetics with poor blood glucose control, especially the elderly and those with additional comorbidities like hypertension, cardiac & renal problems, and chronic lung problems are prone for increased chances of severe and critical COVID-19 infection, he said.

Here are some precautions to be taken by Diabetics to avoid COVID-19 infection?

• Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water or use an alcohol-based solution (minimum 60%), especially before eating and after being in public.

• Use an alcohol-based solution (minimum 60%), especially before eating and after being in public.

• When sneezing or coughing, cover the nose and mouth with a handkerchief or tissue or with the crook of the elbow. Throw the tissue immediately into a closed bin and wash your hands afterwards.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

• Regularly clean commonly used surfaces and devices you touch or handle like table, phone, laptop.

• Don’t share food, tools, glasses and towels.

• Dont spit in public

• Use online transactions and sanitise the delivered goods (newspaper, water bottle, milk packet, vegetable etc) before using them

• Avoid close contact with those who are ill. If someone is visibly ill, coughing or sneezing, keep away.

• Wash your clothes daily.

• Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible. Work from home, wherever possible.

• Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars or clubs.

• Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology instead, such as phone, internet, and social media.

• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health-care provider

• Use telephone or online services to contact your GP practice or other essential services.

• If you have a scheduled visit with your health-care provider, contact them via phone/or portal first to see what other options you may have (many clinics have increased their use of telemedicine) as visiting a clinic can increase your risk of being exposed to the virus. Follow the advice of your health-care provider

• Avoid unprotected contact with wildlife and farm animals.

• Check national travel advice before planning or taking trips