Gujarat forms task force to tackle surge in Covid cases

‘This is World War III. We are fighting the virus without weapons.’

by Abhijit Bhatt - April 23, 2021, 9:03 am

The Gujarat government has formed a task force to monitor and curb the spread of the coronavirus in the state, as the Covid-19 situation has spiraled out of control. A press conference of the members of the Covid Task Force was held on Thursday. The Covid Task Force has decided to include Ivermectin and FabiFlu (Favipiravir) in the clinical protocol.

Dr V.N. Shah, a member of the Covid Task Force, said that about 90,000 researches have been done on the coronavirus, even as the World Health Organization said today that Remdesivir injection is not effective. “Walk at home for six minutes and if the oxygen drops below 94, there is an alarm. Vaccination is essential for herd immunity. This is World War III. We are fighting the virus without weapons. The Prime Minister has announced vaccinations for people above 18 years of age. We have to push the vaccination drive for herd immunity. The target is to vaccinate 59 crore people by June. The logistics are ready. Not just talking in the air. But we are playing blind.”

Dr Tushar Patel, a member of the task force, talked about increasing the lungs’ capacity, as the coronavirus attacks the lungs. “Prone posture means sleeping on the stomach to increase oxygenation. Oxygen is not properly absorbed if the pupa is asleep. Abroad, home isolation and prone prosthesis are done and paracetamol given.”

Dr Tushar Patel further said: “We can exercise at home with an incentive spirometer instrument costing Rs 200-250. There is no need to be hospitalized if yoga and pranayama are done from the beginning. Incentive spirometer exercises that maintain oxygen between 94 and 96 can avoid hospitalization.”

“Prevention is better than cure,” said Dr R.K. Patel. “The first wave, the second wave or the third wave comes. Masks are even more effective than vaccines. Surgical masks are especially effective. Wear a mask at home too. Do not wear while sleeping or eating. We should not go to social gatherings. Maintaining distance and washing of the hands are important. Don’t die from corona, get it out of your mind. If it feels like a cold, isolate yourself. By then, the diagnosis will also be made. Take Azithromycin and Paracetamol. Hospitalization does not lead to treatment. The prone position is an exercise that will increase the capacity of the lungs.”

Dr Dilip Mavalankar said SMS means “Sanitization, Mask and Social Distance”. “Now three Vs have been added to these, they are Ventilation, Vulnerable and Vaccination. Vaccination should be done as soon as possible from 1 May.”