Srinagar: The Covid-19 resurgence wave is very steep, and if the callous attitude of people continues, lockdown is the only option to control the pandemic, experts said on Monday.
Dr Mohammad Sultan Khuroo said that there are several things that have taken us by great surprise in the second wave.
“The wave is extraordinarily steep and it shows something has happened,” Khuroo said.
He added that the callous attitude of people towards the pandemic, political and religious activities and the presence of mutant variants are the possible reasons behind the resurgence.
“A mutation can occur when the virus can die. When it can be weaker than the mutant variant when it becomes as strong as the parent virus. Besides, the mutant variant spreads faster and can kill more people,” he explained.
“Earlier we used to say that protect elderly people having comorbidities. However, it is severe now and is involving younger people. Earlier it was behaving mildly but now infection is severe among young people too, so there is a need to protect every person,” he said. “Although in very few but severe Covid-19 infection can affect lungs of younger people and in few cases, there can also be an inflammatory syndrome.”
Khuroo said that young people have to remain more vigilant now as the vaccination process hasn’t been started for them.
“As of now and everyone must follow covid appropriate behaviour so as to beat the Covid-19.”
Dr Khuroo is of the opinion that even today, if people start following Covid appropriate behaviour in letter and spirit there is no need of lockdown, “but if the callous approach of people and steep surge continues then lockdown is the last option to beat this pandemic.”
He said that lockdown creates problems as its implications are massive and it creates economic, social and health-related problems and lockdown should be the last option.
Dr Khursheed Ahmad, a pulmonologist at CD hospital said that severity is more now in younger people too.
“Authorities here are selective — schools have been closed but music concerts and other things are going on,” he said, adding that there is a need for a pragmatic approach and need to keep a vigil on national highways and airports.
“Lockdown is not a solution but there is a need to install proper checking points so that we can beat the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said
Meanwhile top medico Dr. Naveed Nazir Shah, superintendent of Srinagar city’s Chest Diseases Hospital and renowned pulmonologist said that it’s high time for the people to take all precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 pandemic and that the situation shouldn’t be allowed to go out of control.
“We had been stating that Covid is here and it has not gone away. One thing that needs to be hailed is that people have started following SoPs. There is hardly anyone who doesn’t wear a mask. This is a good sign,” he said, adding that “we must strictly follow SoPs and contain the situation.”
About the present position at CD hospital, one of the premier hospitals dealing with the Covid positive patients, Dr Naveed said that there are over 100 beds available for the virus affected patients and there is almost 90 percent occupancy. “We are not admitting patients with mild symptoms and they are asked to go for home isolation. At present all our beds are almost full. We have an oxygen facility at all the beds and have ventilators as a backup as well. We also have 50 more beds available as a backup at a nursing home,” the leading medico said. He said that all the cases admitted at CD hospital are severe cases who need oxygen and injectable.
Dr Naveed said that SMHS and other hospitals have also been designated as Covid hospitals “but people shouldn’t allow the situation to go out of control and stick to Covid protocols strictly.”
About the Covid vaccine, he said that there are some cases who have tested positive even after taking the Covid vaccine, but that is obvious as the vaccine takes at least three weeks to adjust in the body. “Its efficacy too isn’t 100 percent but it has surely helped to prevent the severity in the patients who test positive, which is significant. People must take Covid vaccines as it helps to prevent mortality,” he said. (With inputs from GNS, KNO)
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