Air quality in Delhi: Levels are an annual problem with the arrival of winter and the burning of stubble (Archive)
New Delhi:
Delhi has reported more than 6,000 new Covid cases every day since Nov. 3, and 13 percent of this may be related to increased air pollution, the IMA (Indian Medical Association) said on Saturday.
The IMA advised people not to venture outdoors early in the morning, when pollution levels are at their highest and the elderly and children, who are believed to be at increased risk of coronavirus infection , are more likely to develop infections and allergies.
“Patients sensitive to respiratory diseases may have difficulty breathing if air quality levels (AQIs) are between 50 and 100. An AQI of 300 makes it difficult for even those who are otherwise healthy,” said Dr. Rajan Sharma, president of the medical corps, said.
On Saturday morning the national capital registered an average AQI of 443; a rating of 401 or higher is an indicator of “severe” contamination.
Medical experts have been insisting on the link between air pollution and Covid infections for several weeks, warning that unless air quality levels are controlled in Delhi and other major cities and regions in the country, it is likely that COVID-19 virus occurs. to spread further.
Last week, a study by six researchers from different European institutes concluded that 17 percent of India’s 1.26 lakh Covid-related deaths could be related to exposure to air pollution.
The world average for this statistic is 15%.
On Saturday morning the national capital recorded an average AQI of 443, or “severe” pollution levels.
The Delhi government is working to control and reduce air pollution levels in the city.
Earlier this week, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal banned firecrackers ahead of Diwali celebrations next Sunday, citing links between air pollution and an increase in COVID-19 cases.
Kejriwal also said that no new manufacturing units would be allowed in the industrial areas of the city. Air pollution levels in Delhi have also been affected by the burning of agricultural stubble in Punjab and Haryana.
The resulting toxic cocktail of smog and pollution has aggravated the respiratory and health conditions of the people in Delhi and increased the cases of Covid.
On Saturday the city registered 6,953 new cases and on Sunday more than 7,000 were registered. So far, Delhi has reported more than 4.3 lakhs of cases, of which nearly 7,000 are deaths.
The IMA has emphasized that in addition to immediate measures to protect oneself, it is necessary to implement long-term measures to reduce levels of air pollution.
The medical body recognized that banning firecrackers and burning stubble were “useful public health measures,” but urged people to adopt other measures, including using public transportation, choosing to buy low-energy vehicles, planting trees and green roofs, promote recycling. and making use of solar (or renewable) energy sources.
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