The coronavirus disease, termed COVID-19, caused due to infection by the SARS-CoV-2 strain of coronavirus has resulted in complete shutdown of economies and people staying indoors. The primary reason health officials and governments have imposed strict legislations, advising people to practice social distancing and closing restaurants, theaters, parks and other public places where large groups gather, is the rapid pace at which the coronavirus disease has spread. While COVID-19 has infected over 1.6 million people globally, in India alone nearly 6,000 individuals are affected by the deadly virus, which has claimed over 200 lives. Also Read: Coronavirus: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
It is now well understood that the coronavirus disease first originated in a wet market in Wuhan, China and dispersed to all corners of the globe by people traveling in and out of China. COVID-19 is essentially a respiratory illness, that presents with symptoms including cough, cold, fever, headaches and breathing difficulties, with more severe cases affecting the lungs and resulting in pneumonia. The disease spreads by means of air droplets from an infected to a healthy person, either by direct contact or by encountering surfaces touched by an affected individual.
Since no vaccines have been commercialized yet for COVID-19 and doctors are still struggling to frame an effective treatment strategy, COVID-19 is a dangerous ailment that can even prove to be fatal, particularly in the elderly and those with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Also Read: COVID-19: Why Are Cardiac Patients At High Risk? Follow These Effective Tips For A Healthy Heart
Hence, the only means to halt the fast spread of COVID-19 is imposing lockdowns in countries and quarantining any person who tests positive for the disease immediately. However, this can pose challenges as one single approach will not work for communities, cities and countries. Depending on the number of positive cases of the coronavirus diseases detected in a particular locality, the respective officials decide whether to label it a hotspot or not.
It is hence vital to stay aware of what it means by a hotspot, and how exactly does a lockdown differ from sealed location. This is key for avoiding contact with infected persons and lowering the risk of coronavirus in healthy population within a city or country.
What Is A Coronavirus Hotspot?
This refers to a geographically outlined area wherein 6 or more people have tested positive for coronavirus. In such locations, the number of coronavirus positive cases could increase by a significant percentage, more so if the residents do not adhere to lockdown rules. The area, within a city or country, is at once termed a COVID-19 hotspot and is sealed. Police will take strict action on the residents not following the stringent rules in these sealed hotspot zones.
In such areas, people are not even allowed to step out to buy essential items like groceries and medicine, only door delivery orders can be placed for day-today needs. No outsider is allowed entry into the hotspot zone and nobody living within the territory is permitted to step out.
Even media personnel are not allowed to go in to cover the current happenings in the hotspot zone and only emergency ambulances can enter, provided all social distancing regulations are adhered to.
What Is A Lockdown?
A lockdown, which is what is being carried out in the majority of Indian cities as well as countries around the world, bans public gatherings of any kind. Malls, theaters, religious places and parks remain closed through the period of the lockdown, to prevent a large number of people from coming in direct contact with one another.
Residents living in a lockdown area can only step out to buy groceries, essentials and medicines, provided they follow all rules of social distancing, wear face masks to cover their nose and mouth and sanitize their hands after returning home purchasing the products.
In these localities too, law enforcement personnel take strict action against those not adhering to stay-at-home orders and social distancing rules.
