Using tobacco and drinking alcohol to cope with boredom during the COVID-19 lockdown can affect immunity as well as mental health, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday, amid rising cases of the novel corona virus.
It also urged people not to shun or judge those who are suffering from the infection, which has claimed 32 lives and affected 1,251 people in the country.
“If you know someone who might have the infection, tell them about precautions, and how to get medical assistance, if required,” the ministry said in its document ‘Minding our minds during the COVID-19 pandemic’, which was released on Tuesday.
The Union Health Ministry has maintained the virus is still in the local transmission stage in India and yet to move to the community transmission phase, the Supreme Court has cautioned that fear and panic are becoming a bigger problem than the corona virus. Italy, meanwhile, has extended an economically crippling lockdown until “at least” mid-April to stem corona virus infections that have claimed a world-leading 11,591 lives. In New York state, the death toll has crossed the 1,200 mark.
The Centre has told the Supreme Court that as of 11 am on Tuesday, there was no migrant workers on the road. “Over 22 lakh are being provided food. These are needy persons, migrants and daily wagers,” the SG said. and added that those still on the road were stopped and and moved to shelters.
Over 20,000 houses have been marked as ”home quarantine” by the Delhi government in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal said on Tuesday.
Taking to Twitter, the LG said the number of food distribution centres will also be increased to ensure social distancing in the national capital.
Baijal held a meeting with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev and Police Commissioner through video conference to discuss measures to combat Covid-19
