Malu Sharma
Jammu: The number of daily positive cases as well as active cases has been on the rise in Jammu and Kashmir for the past two weeks. With the change in weather and casual approach of people, COVID cases are again on rise. Whether there is a wave or not, doctors say the pandemic is still on and Covid is out there-evolving, infecting and claiming lives. STATE TIMES interacted with Dr Kirti Bushan, MS CD Hospital, Jammu in this regard. Dr Bushan reiterated that we need to be keeping a closer eye on the rate of increase in illness and hospitalisations, rather than infections, which, they say, are bound to continue to spike and dip in the foreseeable future. According to Dr Kirti Bushan the present situation resembles the time before the second wave hit the country. Looking around us, the feeling one gets is that we have overcome COVID-19 pandemic and the public at large has lowered the guard. It resembles the situation before the second wave hit India.
While talking to STATE TIMES, Dr Kirti Sharma said, “Festive and wedding seasons are the times when we need to adhere to the Covid guidelines. Our negligence can lead to a grave situation. We have already seen how our ignorance towards following the Covid-19 guidelines had led to the deadly second wave. So, in the times of celebration too, we need to follow the Covid appropriate behaviours including social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands to avoid the emergence of the third wave. Fully vaccinated people should also follow the guidelines diligently.”
Dr Kirti added, “Whenever there is a large gathering, there is always a chance of exposure to infection. “A large number of people attend gatherings like weddings. So if gatherings happen, not only maximum people will be travelling from one city or state to another but also from one country to another. This will cause an inflow of people and the infection might spread in such scenario. Be it flu, COVID or any other infection, the number of cases increase on exposure to infected people. It is mandatory that If we are attending a function, we have to follow COVID guidelines like wearing masks and using sanitiser so that we do not expose ourselves to the infection. Dr Sharma further added, “Omicron variants haven’t increased deaths. Instead, deaths have been reported in those cases that have co-morbidities. We should continuously follow the golden principle that has protected us from COVID-19. We must wear a mask, adopt COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated on priority.”
“Moreover, it is important that people should complete their vaccination. We should also consider booster additional dose of vaccine for people at highest risk. It is also very important to get children vaccinated,” says Dr Kriti Bushan. In his message, Dr Bushan said, “The more we follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour, the more we help break the chain of COVID-19 transmission. It is the primary responsibility of everyone to take precautions rather than taking risk of getting infected with the virus by not following CAB.”