The Alumni Engagement Cell in collaboration with Shree Damodar College Ex-students Association organized a Webinar on the topic ‘COVID-19: Safety and Prevention’ on 31st October, 2020 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. via the Google Meet Platform. The Resource Person for the Webinar was Dr. Jagadish Kakodkar, Professor and Head, Preventive & Social Medicine, Goa Medical College & Hospital. A total of 75 people registered for the webinar.
Dr. Jagadish Kakodkar enlightened the participants on various important aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He spoke about death rates and how they can be controlled, precautions to be taken when one is tested positive, ways in which COVID-19 spreads and need for social distancing.
He informed that the risk is high among people having pre-existing diseases such as cardio vascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, hypertension, cancer, etc. Such people are likely to face complications. He also mentioned that such cases cannot be managed at home and require proper monitoring by doctors.
Dr. Kakodkar said that death rates can be controlled or reduced if people are made aware about the precautions and measures to be taken. He specifically said that senior citizens, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years must take strict precautions.
Dr. Kakodkar stressed the importance of social distancing and following SOPs when found positive and also mentioned some myths of COVID-19. He informed that gargling alone cannot reduce the virus. He suggested that it is ideal to do gargling with an oral antiseptic such as ‘Providone iodine’. But the most important precautionary measures are the use of a face mask and washing hands.
Dr Kakodkar concluded his presentation by highlighting the role played by the Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, GMC in combating COVID-19
