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Published on: Oct 28, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan ( Medical Second Opinion Cell)

COVID: A Reminder To Stay Safe

COVID: A reminder to stay safe

As we approach the second wave of COVID, we need to remain vigilant with our actions to prevent the spread of the virus. We are continuously reminded about wearing a mask in public, maintaining socially distant, and not engaging in risky behavior such as large gatherings. But today we will focus on other forms of transmission. COVID is primarily transmitted by airborne droplets, but spreading the infection through infected surfaces is still feasible. Here we will look at three articles that investigate this mode of transmission.

SARS-COV-2 Survives for 28 days on surfaces

This study by Australian scientists has found that SARS-CoV-2 can survive on surfaces for up to 28 days. The team investigated using the same amounts of virus found on infected individuals, interacting with surfaces such as cotton, paper, stainless steel, glass, and vinyl. Such materials were chosen as they represent commonly touched objects such as mobile phones, ATMs, supermarket checkout regions, items that may not be cleaned regularly enough. Previous research showed the virus could be detected in aerosols for up to three hours, and on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for up to three days.

This study found the virus may survive as long as a week on most surfaces, with enough potency to re-infect. Even after two weeks, there were still plenty of detectable viruses. On other surfaces such as banknotes, the virus could survive as long as a month. The survival of the virus is also potentiated by colder temperatures. The virus is far less likely to survive at 30C than at 6 C, a worrying finding for countries currently approaching winter.

Survival of SARS-CoV 2 on the human skin

We know our skin is host to millions of different bacteria and viruses, but the conditions created by the body alongside the degree of microbial competition actually makes it quite a hostile environment for pathogenic microbes. Hirose et al looked to investigate how well the SARS-CoV-2 virus survives on human skin, using a model. They found that SARS-CoV-2 and the influenza A virus were destroyed more quickly on the skin than other surfaces such as steel, glass, and plastic. However, COVID lasted over 4x longer on skin compared to Influenza A (9 hours vs 1.8 hours).

More importantly, ethanol compounds were found to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 within 15 seconds on human skin. This highlights the importance of regular hand washing, even if with alcohol gel. Taking this in mind, it is useful to keep small bottles of alcohol gel on a person when traveling in public and using it regularly. After all, if you are touching door handles and other items that hundreds of other people may have touched before you, potentially with poor hygiene, it is safer to regularly disinfect.

Low risk of COVID transmission by fomites in real life conditions

Having taken these studies into account, it is quite difficult to quantifiably measure transmission from surface to a person. Knowledge of this transmissibility is quite important, especially to those working in a hospital environment. A review by Mondelli et al published in the prestigious journal The Lancet (Infectious Disease) describes two sequential studies to looking at the possibility of contamination of surfaces in an infectious disease ward of a major Italian hospital, and also whether risk of transmission was higher in emergency rooms and sub-intensive care wards.

These studies found there were very few surfaces in the hospital through which positive swabs could be taken, suggesting contamination was low. Of course the hospitals were running standard cleaning procedures, with regular wipedowns of commonly toughed objects. This again highlights the importance of maintaining hygiene, and how adequate cleanliness can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

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Online Health Screening Packages India: How SecondMedic Is Powering Preventive Healthcare for Every Indian

Online Health Screening Packages India: The Smarter Path to Preventive Care

In today’s fast-paced world, preventive healthcare has become more crucial than ever. Lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disorders are affecting millions of Indians - many of which could be prevented through timely screening.

With SecondMedic’s online health screening packages, Indians now have access to convenient, data-driven, and affordable health checkups designed to detect risks early and promote long-term wellness.

The Importance of Preventive Health Screenings

India is witnessing a sharp rise in chronic illnesses. According to NITI Aayog (2024), over 60% of deaths in India are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), many of which are preventable through early detection.

Preventive screenings enable patients to track key health parameters - from cholesterol and sugar to liver and kidney function - before symptoms appear.

With the growing focus on digital health under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), online health packages are making proactive healthcare accessible across all age groups.

How SecondMedic’s Online Health Screening Works

SecondMedic simplifies preventive care through a three-step process:

Select Your Package: Choose from full-body, cardiac, diabetes, or age-specific health plans online.
Schedule Sample Collection: Certified technicians collect samples from your doorstep at your preferred time.
Receive Reports Digitally: Access doctor-reviewed and AI-enhanced health reports through your SecondMedic dashboard.

Each package includes a teleconsultation to interpret your results and guide next steps.

AI-Powered Health Insights

What makes SecondMedic stand apart is its use of AI analytics for personalized health evaluation.
The platform compares your test data against medical benchmarks and predicts early warning signs - even before conditions fully develop.

For instance, AI can detect pre-diabetic patterns, vitamin deficiencies, or cholesterol trends and recommend lifestyle changes instantly.

According to IMARC Group (2024), India’s AI-driven healthcare analytics market is growing at a CAGR of 22%, fueled by rising awareness of preventive care and health tech adoption.

Types of Health Screening Packages

1. Full Body Checkup
Covers over 80 parameters - including blood, kidney, liver, and thyroid functions - to give a 360° view of your health.

2. Diabetes Care Package
Ideal for individuals at risk of diabetes, including fasting glucose, HbA1c, and lipid profile tests.

3. Cardiac Health Package
Assesses your heart health with lipid profile, ECG, and cardiac enzyme tests.

4. Women’s Health Package
Focuses on hormone balance, thyroid health, and reproductive wellness.

5. Senior Wellness Package
Designed for elderly patients, covering bone, heart, and metabolic health markers.

Benefits of Online Health Screenings

Convenience: Schedule tests from home, no hospital queues.
Accuracy: AI-enhanced analytics ensure early and precise detection.
Affordability: Up to 40% cheaper than hospital checkups (IBEF, 2024).
Continuity: Track health over time via SecondMedic’s secure digital dashboard.
Accessibility: Nationwide sample collection network for urban and rural users alike.

Aligning with India’s Preventive Healthcare Vision

The Indian government’s National Health Policy 2023 emphasizes preventive healthcare and early intervention. Initiatives like ABDM and Fit India Movement encourage citizens to undergo regular screenings.

SecondMedic’s platform aligns perfectly with this national vision - bringing preventive care, diagnostics, and AI health tools together under one roof.

Data Security and Compliance

All reports and health data on SecondMedic are encrypted and stored as per HIPAA and ABDM standards. Patients can also link their ABHA health ID for unified digital record management, ensuring privacy and continuity of care.

The Future of Preventive Healthcare in India

As per a FICCI-EY 2024 study, India’s preventive health sector is expected to reach USD 20 billion by 2030, driven by rising awareness and digital adoption.

With AI tools, remote diagnostics, and home-based services, platforms like SecondMedic are reshaping healthcare from reactive to preventive - helping millions live longer, healthier lives.

Conclusion

Preventive care is no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity.
SecondMedic’s online health screening packages bring together technology, convenience, and expert care to help you stay one step ahead of illness.

Your health journey begins with awareness - and that starts with screening.

Book your online health checkup today at www.secondmedic.com

References

NITI Aayog – “India’s Preventive Healthcare Outlook” (2024)
IBEF – “Healthcare Industry Report 2024”
IMARC Group – “AI Healthcare Market in India 2024–2028”
FICCI-EY – “Digital Health Ecosystem and Preventive Care 2024”
ABDM – “Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission” – https://abdm.gov.in

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