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IS A NEW COVID WAVE ON THE WAY? READ WHAT EXPERTS SAY!
HIGHEST COVID FIGURES IN 7 MONTHS, SUPREME COURT ISSUES PRECAUTIONARY DIRECTIVES; DOES INDIA FACE A NEW COVID WAVE ? OR, IS IT ALREADY HERE..?
A new Covid wave may just be round the corner’ is a common public perception these days. The statistics of new patients admitted and deaths due to Coronavirus are rising again. Fear mongering about talks of yet another set of restrictions or even lockdowns are already in the public space. What is the world staring at? Experts say, “Don’t panic!” Read on.
(By India Input Desk)
Covid wave is suddenly back in the talks. TV debates, newspaper columns, social media handles, markets, parks and other public places have one thing in common these days. All are discussing the possibility of a new Covid wave. On Tuesday April 11th 2023, India reported 16 new deaths due to Covid and total Covid instances have gone up by 5675 new cases, highest since September 1st 2022.
Supreme court of India (SCI) on Tuesday, issued a circular with directions for Covid appropriate behavior in SCI premises.
The news related to the guidelines apex court, led to further add to the Covid related news mongering.
The above mentioned rise in cases is said to be due to a new variant named XBB.1.16, a sub variant of Omicron. A report, citing sources, suggested that the rise in cases may continue for the next ten to twelve days and then gradually come down. The report also claimed that the disease is heading to endemic stage, that is the number of cases may remain constant for a period of time.
WHAT DO PULMONOLOGISTS SAY ON NEW COVID WAVE?
And in case you missed them, the common points in discussion among major Prime Time TV debates these days are enlisted here :
1. Even if you have taken both the doses you may still get infected. But it will increase your immunity. It will protect you. That’s the positive point to begin with.
2. There is an increase in patients but it’s not that sharp, yet. The number of actual infections may be much greater. It is just that people are not stepping out for testing. So, the current tally seems lower due to under reporting.
3. Everyone with symptoms must realise that if you don’t get tested, you may spread the infection to your family and outside.
4. Due to very low count of testing, the actual rise in deaths due to Covid, may be more than the official stats.
5. It seems an Omicron like variant, but surely not as disturbing as Delta which had caused the ferocious second wave.
6. Chief point of concern is rise in pediatric cases. So take good care of kids during summer vacations and traveling.
7. Those who have taken both doses and booster dose need not worry. Those who have taken only one dose must take the other and those who have taken both should rush for a booster dose.
8. Those with a lung, heart or kidney condition or past history must wear masks when outside. It’s better to wear masks for everybody especially in crowded places.
“NO NEED TO PANIC ON NEW COVID WAVE” : DR VIKRAM RATHI
Indiainput.com sought the opinion of Dr Vikram Rathi, among the top pulmonologists in Central India, on the possibility of a wave, it’s fear factor and precautions to be taken. In his words,
“Possibility of a wave of Covid-19 depends on multiple factors, most importantly if SARS-CoV-2 mutates into variants which are more transmissible or resistant to the current Covid cases.”
On the issue of vaccination, he observed, “Even with vaccination programs, there is still a risk of new variants emerging. People should be very careful,as the current culprit variant can infect a large number of people in a very short period of time. Although XBB.1.16 is very infectious, it causes mild disease in most, needing minimum hospitalisation, subsequently, negligible Covid-deaths. So, there is nothing to panic about. However, Covid-appropriate behaviour is the need of the hour.”
He also added, “Special attention should be given to educate children regarding maintaining personal hygiene and monitoring symptoms, as paediatric cases have significantly gone up.”
Meanwhile, Dr Ravi Godse, a US based expert, posted a tweet on the issue.
In the tweet, he mentioned his four speculations in the past and suggested that the pandemic in India was nearing its end (ENDemic).
When contacted by indiainput.com, he concurred to the observation saying, “There is no evidence so far that XBB 1.16.1 is more dangerous. It could be more infectious and catch people with previous immunity again, but in most cases, it will not be a serious infection.”
DR RAVI GODSE ON BOOSTER DOSES
On the efficacy of the booster doses, he said,
“Boosters can help but ideally, anymore, they should be Omicron adjusted boosters. India, can
1) Import Omicron boosters mRNA from USA
2) Adjust Covishield/Covaxin against Omicron
3) Build own mRNA”
He further said, “The solution 2 and 3 takes months and 1 will never be done, so forget it ! Mix and Match boosters might help, I have been advocating it for past 3 years.”
He also said, “Only slight risk of hospitalization/serious illness may exist among extremely elderly / immunosuppressed”
COVID APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR
While a Covid appropriate behavior is being advocated by most of the experts, Dr Godse has a specific view on the best remedy for the situation.
His take in his inimitable style, “See, Nirmatrelvir still works and if taken within 5 days, can reduce risk of serious illness significantly. India can make it, it already has the patent. Nirmatrelvir is the ONLY thing that will make difference right now. When you don’t have that, talking about Covid appropriate behavior is useless and harmful!”
Dr. Ravi Godse is on twitter: @DrGodseRavi1
Dr. Vikram Rathi can be contacted on mail: drvmraathi@gmail.com
For more on Covid wave updates from the Government of India: https://www.mygov.in/covid-19/
Related
https://indiainput.com/is-a-new-covid-wave-coming
https://indiainput.com/i-am-kovid-i-am-not-a-virus
