Mysore/Mysuru: The Novel Coronavirus continues to spread around the world, prompting Governments to step up efforts to contain the spread of the disease it causes, officially known as COVID-19.

Coronavirus spreads from person to person in close proximity, similar to other respiratory illnesses, such as the flu. Droplets of bodily fluids — such as saliva or mucus — from an infected person are dispersed in the air or on surfaces by coughing or sneezing.

These droplets can come into direct contact with other people or can infect those who pick them up by touching infected surfaces and then their face.

“Coughs and sneezes can travel several feet and stay suspended in the air for up to 10 minutes. Transmission is of particular concern on transport and where people meet, where droplets containing the Coronavirus  could pass between passengers or people through air-borne mechanism or through surfaces,” said District Vector Borne Diseases Control and Food Control Officer Dr. Chidambara.

Speaking at an awareness programme on Coronavirus organised by Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association at the Association office in Krishnamurthypuram in city yesterday, he said that the Coronavirus has transformed into a new form, affecting the humanity across the world. 

“People above 60 years and children below five years are particularly susceptible for the disease. Symptoms of the disease include cough, fever and breathing difficulties. If not treated in isolation wards, the disease grows severe leading to fatalities,” he said. 

Wearing a face mask is certainly not an iron-clad guarantee that you won’t get sick — viruses can also transmit through the eyes and tiny viral particles, known as aerosols, can penetrate masks. However, masks are effective at capturing droplets, which is a main transmission route of Coronavirus.

“If you are likely to be in close contact with someone infected, a mask cuts the chance of the disease being passed on. If you’re showing symptoms of Coronavirus, or have been diagnosed, wearing a mask can also protect others. So masks are crucial for health workers                                                        looking after patients and are also recommended for family members who need to care for someone who is ill —ideally both the patient and carer should have a mask,” he clarified. 

“Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands. Maintain at least    3 feet distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. These measures will arrest the spread of the virus,” he said. 

Association members A.R. Ravindra Bhat, Ashok, Ravi Shastry, Subramanya Tantri, Suresh Ugraiah, P.N. Kunder and others were present.

All hotels closed tomorrow

Speaking on the occasion, Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association President C. Narayanagowda said that following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Janata Curfew call for Sunday (Mar. 22), the Association had decided to close all hotels. “In the past, we have downed shutters for various reasons but this time, we are closing for the overall health of people. All hotels who have obtained the Association membership including 400 hotels that have lodging facilities, 200 vegetarian restaurants, 130 non-vegetarian hotels, 75 bar and restaurants, 24 star-rated hotels, 300 bakeries and 45 sweat-meat shops will be closed,” Dr. Chidambara said. 

“In Mysuru, there are over 9,500 rooms in various categories of hotels and due to Coronavirus scare, there have been minimum bookings in the last few days. No new bookings will be encouraged on Sunday and those who have booked in advance will be asked to vacate or cancel their bookings. It will be a complete closure,” he announced.