Mild or severe, Covid variants not to be taken lightly: Experts

Nischith N | NT

People in the city like in the rest of the country have enough reasons to unchain themselves from the Covid shackles. Being cooped at home for months on end and seeing the economy dip to a never-before noticed nadir, may seem more than sufficient cause to throw caution to the winds and behave like everything is back to normal. Maybe the worst is behind us, but to continue to exercise caution is best for everyone’s health, those in the know tell Nischith N.

World Health Organisation has cautioned countries opening up Covid-19 curbs to go slow, and also be ready to reintroduce control measures if the need arises. India is one among the earlier countries to relax many of the Covid norms. Now, with Israel confirming cases of a new Covid variant, the world is unsure how to react to this. China too is witnessing a massive surge of Covid-19 cases. Omicron, the most transmissible variant of SARS-CoV-2, was detected in South Africa last year

It is time for the government to direct officials to maintain a high level of alertness and surveillance, and carry out genomic sequencing aggressively across the country.

As per reports, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote a letter to all additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and secretaries of (Health) of all states and UTs, emphasising that there be a continued focus on the five-fold strategy: Test, Track-Treat-Vaccinate and adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour.

Testing for influenzalike illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases have been the pillars of Covid management for the government. However, the test - ing was s t o p p e d recently in many places as the country has been recording a steady decline in Covid cases. As part of intensified surveillance, patients being hospitalised with ILI and SARI will again be tested for Covid and posi- tive samples will be sent for genome sequencing.

Reacting on this, Dr Vikas M, Anesthesiologist from Beng alur u, who takes care of Covid patients, said, “Maybe a few governments have feared the political pressure that may result in some countries reopening their societies prematurely, leading to unnecessary further transmission of Covid-19 and deaths. Though this new variant has mild symptoms, the government has to take some measures because now many Covid centres h ave b e e n closed and people are not following Covid norms.”

According to experts, the new variant that has been detected in Israel is one such mutation that has reportedly led to mild symptoms. There is no need to worry about this variant yet as it has not entered India and proper screenings and identification will help prevent the entry of new variants here.

However, experts caution that people must not be careless as it will help the virus mutate. “Following Covid-appropriate behaviour and exercising caution for a few more weeks is essential. Taking both doses of the vaccine as well as the booster shot is the only way to prevent severity of the disease,” said Dr Priya Gautham.

Also, anybody who is travelling to other countries should be even more cautious as they are more susceptible to it.

Reacting to this, Health department senior official said all instructions will be coming from the Centre. Also, the state Health department will act accordingly. “The third wave has ended, not the pandemic. The threat of Covid-19 is still not completely over. Hence, it is important to wear a face mask for some more time. Hope people will follow this simple precaution,” an official added.