PUNE: “There is no need to panic,” doctors from the city appealed to the public on Tuesday after five COVID-19 cases from Pune were confirmed. Explaining why the public does not need to panic, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Maharashtra State Dr Avinash Bhondwe said the mortality rate for COVID-19 is less than two per cent.

“The mortality rate is very low for COVID-19. Moreover, the precautionary actions in the city and State to check and limit the COVID-19 cases are good. We have learnt a very good lesson from the swine flu outbreak in 2009 and so the authorities are doing their best to contain these cases. Hence people should not panic and maintain personal hygiene,” said Dr Bhondwe.

He added that government hospitals are well equipped to take care of the situation.

“Wash hands regularly and stay indoors in case of any flu-like symptoms. Trust your doctor and not rumours,” stressed Dr Bhondwe.

Dr Mahesh Lakhe, Consultant - Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Columbia Asia Hospital said it is important we keep up the vigil.

“Self-reporting forms and thermal detectors at airports are effective screening methods. However, people should be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 - mainly fever, cough, tightness of the chest, and difficulty with breathing. Some patients may also have inflamed lungs filled with fluid, said Dr Lakhe.

“There is no vaccine for this disease which is difficult to treat because it can evade the human immune system, so precaution is the only effective measure,” said Dr Lakhe.

He added that to prevent infection, wash hands regularly, cover mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing. He said it is important to eat well-cooked seafood, meat and eggs, as uncooked food may cause other diseases that lower immunity.