COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2): Current Scenario
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Hopefully, the worst part of this "once-in-a-lifetime" pandemic is now behind us: World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the "Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)" on May 5th, 2023, the emergency state that lasted for over 3 years and 3 months.
However, the declaration of end of COVID-19 as PHEIC is just one part of the full statement of WHO on 5th May, 2023, and focussing on this declaration only misses the big picture and current scenario. Today, there is no doubt that This virus is not going to be eradicated, as it has adapted to many species other than humans: so it will remain in the community for a very long time, if not forever. And, even today in the 2nd half of 2023, new waves are rising in different regions of the world ...and are killing one person every 3 minutes globally.
Hence, the "Emergency situation" has ended but the threat remains. The virus is known to evolve very fast and new variants keep coming cropping up and any variant that is remarkably different from existing variants can lead to a big "wave" of infections and sickness, especially when "population immunity" goes low, as is happening currently with new JN.1 variant
So what should be done? There is no way to tackle the evolution of the virus. What we can do is
1. To minimize the conditions (of low "population immunity") for fast spread of the virus,
2. Prevention/ management of lifestyle diseases that increase the risk of severe disease and
3. Taking due precautions when we have "flu-like illness" or we are around someone with "flu-like illness"
4. Taking due precautions when in a closed indoor overcrowded place
1. Maintaining high "Population immunity": Everyone must be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations. It is sad that very small percentage of population in India has taken the third dose ("Precaution dose") of the vaccination. It can be detrimental in the long run if a severe variant comes up. It has been observed that people throng to the vaccination centres when a wave of infections is already there: It is like digging the well after the fire is there!!..IT does NOT help much...rather can be harmful, as overcrowding at the vaccination centres gives fuel to the raging fire of the viral spread...and many catch the infection in that overcrowding. Hence, the best time to get the pending vaccination is NOW when the infections are less and there is no overcrowding at vaccination centres. Similarly, the adolescents who are turning twelve and are thus becoming eligible to get their first dose must take the vaccination...as unvaccinated population is like "fuel" for the "fire" of viral spread ("wave")...and increasing percentage of such unvaccinated population can give rise to a big wave in case a new variant crops up. So parents, please do not ignore vaccination of your eligible children.
2. Prevention/ management of life-style diseases that increase the risk of severe disease: The pandemic has taught us "heath is Wealth" in a hard way. The all encompassing, most visible, pandemic of overweight/ obesity must be handled pro-actively. There should be no misconception...It must be clear to one and all "Being Overweight is NOT healthy". All new-age Non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, etc. are interlinked and lifestyle diseases and leading a healthy life through out ("womd to tomb") can go a long way in reducing direct morbidity and mortality due to these, but also indirectly by minimizing complications of COVID-19 and Influenza as we have seen and understood in last 3 years.
3. Taking due precautions when we have "flu like illness" or we are around someone with "flu like illness": This is now a responsibility of one and all to play ones role in prevention of spread of "Flu like illness". Since almost all cases of COVID-19 are like cough/ cold with or without fever, the usual precautions of cough etiquette, frequent handwashing, avoiding public places and use of mask must be followed when we have any similar illness.
4. Taking due precautions when in closed indoor overcrowded place: Since the chances of spread are maximum in such a situation, the level of precaution must also go high here. This is even more important for those in high risk group (Elderly, pregnant females, those with co-morbid conditions). Try to use good-quality masks as much as possible. Visits to doctor/ hospital or other health care facilities like path labs need special mention as the chance of cross infection is maximum here.
Considering above, this Clinic took the initiative of starting the consultations "by appointment only" with dedicated time slot being allotted to each and every patient/ family, so as to minimize any cross infection during waiting. This Clinic now assures ZERO WAITING TIME to each patient who comes with prior appointment and reaches on time.
(Updated on 1st January, 2024)
If you have any further specific queries on Covid19 or any other issue, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help.