he current Pandemic N-COVID-19 taking toll on health care providers worldwide as it is observed that mortality is more among health care providers. The health of health care providers is a major concern. As they have to take care of their health first to serve the humanity. It is observed that mortality among health care providers is more compared to common man. Therefore, it is necessary to study the knowledge, attitude and hygienic practices regarding N-COVID-19 among health care providers.

It is a small attempt to study the knowledge, attitude and practice to prevent N COVID-19 among health care providers themselves working in tertiary care hospitals of a Medical College. Let us hope, it is the beginning of research study of N-COVID-19 Pandemic in tertiary care hospital. Such study is first of its kind in the said tertiary care hospital.

In 2019, an outbreak of the coronavirus began in Wuhan, China, affecting over 1,300 people, the largest recorded to date. The outbreak is ongoing as of February 2020. 1 The 2019-nCoV infection caused clusters of severe respiratory illness similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and was associated with ICU admission and high mortality. 2 The name "coronavirus" is derived from the Latin corona, meaning crown or halo, which refers to the characteristic appearance of the virus particles (virions): they have a fringe reminiscent of a crown or of a solar corona. Coronaviruses comprise the subfamily Ortho coronavirinae in the family Coronaviridae, in the order Nidovirales. 3,4 They are enveloped viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome and a nucleocapsid of helical symmetry.

AIM -To find out the awareness regarding coronavirus among health workers working in tertiary care hospital Objective-To find out hygienic practices practiced by the participants.

A pre-structured proforma was prepared and got validated. Institutional Ethics Committee clearance was taken. Written consent of each participant was taken after explaining the purpose of the study in their language. Proforma was administered by the interns in person. Questions were asked to the participants from both the tertiary care hospitals. The entered in Excel data sheet and analyzed using spss package.

Graph 1: Age wise distribution of the participants Graph 1 shows the age wise distribution of the participants participated in the study. We found out that amongst the participants, maximum 37.4% (76) were from 25-34 years of age group and 31%(63) participants were from 15-24 years of age group.

In our study, 51.24% (104) were females and 48.76% (99) were males. 50.74% (103) participants were from one tertiary care hospital whereas 49.26% (100) were from other tertiary care hospital. Regarding hygienic practices practiced among health care providers, we found out that 101 participants were cleaning and disinfecting touched objects when having a respiratory infection and covering nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing, though, this is not statistically insignificant, it is a good hygienic practice seen amongst health care providers.

In a study conducted by Maria Cohut et al 5 shows same results highlighting the practices of hygiene behavior in order to prevent spread of COVID-19. The Questionnaire was as follows: a) In our study we found that, 1) 86.2% (175) were wearing masks rather 13.8% (28) were not wearing masks while in contact with patients. 2) 85.2% (173) were seeking early medical attention while having respiratory infection for more than two weeks while 14.8% (30) were not seeking early medical attention while having respiratory infection for more than two weeks. 3) 62.6% (127) were cleaning and disinfecting touched objects and surfaces while having respiratory infection while 37.4% (76) were not cleaning and disinfecting touched objects and surfaces while having respiratory infection. 4) 81.8% (166) were covering their nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing while 18.2% (37) were not covering their nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing. 5) 84.2% (171) were taking precautionary measures when their close contacts were having cold or flu like symptoms while 15.8% (32) were not taking precautionary measures when their close contacts were having cold or flu like symptoms. 6) 75.4% (153) are eating thoroughly cooked meat and eggs while 24.6% (50) are not eating thoroughly cooked meat and eggs. 7) 66% (134) avoided unprotected contact with pet and farm animals while 34% (69) were having unprotected contact with pet and farm animals. 8) 39.9% (81) were touching their body parts with unwashed hands while 60.1% (122) were not touching their body parts with unwashed hands. III.

From our study, we conclude that majority of health care provider staff were using precautionary measures while dealing with COVID-19 patients. With only 38.9% (79) underwent the awareness program. If 100% of staff would undergo the training and awareness program, we are sure they will take better care of themselves and patients while on duty. The awareness program and training should be repeated periodically.