File photo of a healthcare worker taking a patient’s temperature at a makeshift COVID-19 care facility. (AP)
However, mortality will be much lower as our healthcare system is now prepared for the fight, added Dr. VK Paul, member (health) and head of the Covid-19 national task force.
- News18.com
- Last update: October 13, 2020 11:32 PM IST
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In light of the winter season and the festivities just around the corner, the NITI Aayog has warned that the second peak of Covid-19 is approaching the country. Dr VK Paul, member (health) and head of the national Covid-19 task force, warned on Tuesday during a press conference that India will see another storm of Covid-19 cases.
However, mortality will be much lower as our health system is now prepared for the fight, he added.
“By looking at the nature of the respiratory virus and the significant increase in cases in Europe and the United States of America (USA), we can assume an increase in Covid-19 cases,” said Dr. Paul.
“The tendency of the respiratory virus is that it thrives during winters. Since SARS-Cov-2 is a respiratory virus, we assume that its contagiousness will increase during winters. The study of influenza virus pandemics reveals that cases increased during the winter phases, more than the previous phases, “he explained.
Dr. Paul also emphasized the need to take more precautions during winters and warned people not to organize any gatherings during the holidays that could turn into a wide-spread event.
“It is now clear that Covid-19 patients begin to spread the virus 2-3 days before the onset of symptoms. These patients are innocent as they do not know their health status. However, their innocence can turn criminal. if they are invited to a gathering. The infected person can transmit the disease to many and chains would form, “he explained.
Epidemiologists also noted high chances of an increase in the viral disease burden in the coming days.
“All viral diseases increase during winters. In most cases, viruses die at high temperatures but multiply at low temperatures. While Sars-Cov-2 has not shown such a trend, it has also spread during winters. Summers. on the evidence of the second wave in many countries where winters have started, we can assume that India is looking at the second wave, “said Prof (Dr.) Prabhakaran Dorairaj, Director of the Center for the Control of Chronic Conditions, Foundation Public Health Board of India (PHFI).
He also warned that this contamination condition would worsen the already bad situation of the spread of Covid-19.
“In addition, people’s behavior during winters would also affect the spread of infection. They huddle for warmth, where the chances of coming into contact with an infected person are greatest,” added Professor Dodairaj.
“The only way to avoid contraction is to go out only when necessary, avoid overcrowding, wear a mask, and maintain hand hygiene at all times,” he advised.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) reported on the popular participation campaign (Jan Aandolan), an awareness campaign to mitigate the spread of the crown before the upcoming festivals, the winter season and the opening of the economy .
The campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8 to encourage people to adopt strictly Covid-appropriate behavior. The campaign would last two months, the entire month of October until the end of November.
“At the core of the campaign are three simple messages: Wear a mask. Wash your hands and follow physical distancing,” said Amit Khare, secretary of the I&B ministry.
He also reported that the ministry has caught front-line workers, beneficiaries of government schemes such as MNREGA, PM Aawas Yojna and private sectors, trade associations for the massive outreach of the campaign.
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