Staffers down with Covid, AIIMS-Delhi issues advisory

NEW DELHI: AIIIMS has issued an advisory for staff to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour after four doctors, among them a senior faculty member, and several other employees tested positive recently.

All hospital staff have been told to wear surgical masks and avoid gatherings, especially in canteens. They have been advised to avoid gatherings of five or more people in any place and discourage the entry of visitors into the office complex. Only visitors with permission should be allowed in after screening.

"Employees who are at a higher risk - older or pregnant employees and those with underlying medical conditions - should take extra precautions," the memorandum said, adding that all officials were advised to take care of their health and look out for symptoms.

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.

According to officials, though the directions have been issued, people are still not wearing masks inside the campus.

An office-bearer of Indian Medical Association (IMA) said that though Covid cases are rising, there was no need to panic. An official note shared by IMA on twitter said that since people with symptoms refused to get tested, this may have allowed the virus to spread and infect more people.

They further stated that there was no role for antibiotics and there was no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline antiseptic has protected people from infection. People should avoid spitting in public places. Besides, avoid poorly ventilated settings as ventilation is an important factor in preventing the virus from spreading, the IMA said.