People complacent, there is no fear: Expert
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People complacent, there is no fear: Expert

As the Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir are rising daily over the past two weeks, concerns over rapid transmission of the virus among people have been raised. SOPs like wearing masks, avoiding gatherings and social distancing norms are not fully follow

Post by on Tuesday, April 6, 2021

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As the Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir are rising daily over the past two weeks, concerns over rapid transmission of the virus among people have been raised. SOPs like wearing masks, avoiding gatherings and social distancing norms are not fully followed. To understand the new wave of the virus, Dr M Saleem Khan, professor and HOD community medicine GMC Srinagar speaks to Rising Kashmir’s Health Correspondent Mansoor Peer about the new wave and how people can restrict the transmission of the virus.

 

How is the second wave different from the first wave?

Today, those who were infected in the first wave are becoming more susceptible. There are few instances of re-infection also. Viruses are usually unstable, so mutations do occur regularly. Sometimes a virus may become virulent. Now its transmission is much more. Every infected person may infect seven persons if precautionary measures are not taken immediately. The transmission is much more in the second wave and it looks like that. Therefore, there is more transmission that is due to either SOPs not followed or the characteristics of the virus have changed. Infectors responsible for the transmission are more due to social gatherings and lack of social distancing.

 

There are myths about the new wave of Covid-19?

The cases are on the rise. Earlier, there was fear among people and they were cooperative. Now people are complacent and there is no fear. SOPs are not followed. Last year there was no vaccine and today we have a vaccine available but people are not following the basic precautionary measures.

 

Can Covid-19 cases go up if precautionary measures are not followed?

There could be more rise in cases and subsequent mortality. SOPs are not being followed. People are not following the social distancing norms. They do not wear masks. Large gatherings are held without any kind of precautionary measures. Social gatherings are there. These are the reasons for the new wave.

 

How can we restrict transmission?

Strict adherence to SOPs would restrict transmission. During the lockdown, virus transmission was restricted. Now it transmits very easily among the susceptible ones.

 

What is your message to people?

People are still complacent. They aren’t aware that once a person is infected with the virus, it affects all organs in the body. Covid can have long term problems. Covid affects many other organs in the body like the heart, cardiovascular system, kidney, brain, blood circulatory system.




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