By Ajita Rijal

Kathmandu, Mar 18: Health experts have suggested people wash hands frequently and maintain hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus.
They suggest washing hands with soap or hand sanitizer before eating, after eating and using toilet, after touching animals, before preparing food and after coughing and sneezing, among others.
According to Dr Rabindra Pandey, a public health expert, if we adopt the habit of washing hands frequently, more than 70 per cent of the infectious diseases can be prevented.
“To eliminate all traces of the virus on your hands, a quick scrub and a rinse won’t help, so one should wash hands for at least one minute (including your palms, back of each hand, between fingers, thumbs and under nails),” said Dr Pandey.
For washing hands thoroughly, Dr Pandey suggested using running water including tap water. After washing hands we need to dry with personal towels. Hand washing is highly preferable at homes and if you are out, you need to use hand sanitizer, said Dr Pandey.
Personal hygiene is essential for staying away from any type of virus, said Dr Pandey, adding that one must cover mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing.
The campaign ‘one soap one personal’ is essential to reduce the chance of suffering from the virus, said Dr Ramesh Acharya.
If the soap is used by an infected person, then there is a high chance of transmission among the disinfected, so it is better to use one soap by one individual, said Dr Acharya.
The government should now promote and demonstrate regular hand washing and positive hygiene behaviour among the public to minimize the risk, said Dr Acharya.
The hand washing behaviour has also changed among people after the spread of the virus.
Menuka Dhakal, 29, of Jorpati, said, “I used to wash hands with water and soap for at least two to three times a day. But now I wash my hands for more than six times daily. I am using liquid hand wash and hand sanitizer frequently.”
According to doctors, the virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing). Individuals can also be infected by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their face including eyes, nose and mouth. The COVID-19 virus may survive on surfaces for several hours, but simple disinfectants can kill it.
In order to reduce the chance of transmission of the virus, every individual must take precautions, including staying home when sick, covering mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing, washing hands often with soap and water and cleaning frequently-touched surfaces.
Doctors also suggest avoiding junk foods, smoking, drinking alcohol and uncooked meat items.
“Maintaining healthy habit, drinking warm water, eating balanced diet and fruits can prevent the chance of being infected with any kind of virus,” said Dr Pandey.