Srinagar: Amid spike in coronavirus cases, experts on Thursday called for strict compliance to covid appreciate behavior to keep the virus going “out of proportions”
“During Omicron driven wave, there were low hospital admissions but in the present scenario, the admission are slightly more than Omicron wave but not severe as was case during the Delta wave,” top Kashmir pulmonologist and Head of the Department at Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar, Dr Naveed Nazir Shah, told GNS.
“Right now the situation is under control. However before it goes out of proportion, we need to take all necessary precautions strictly and follow Covid-19 guidelines which have been issued earlier like wearing masks, using sanitizers, etc.”
Jammu and Kashmir has seen a spike in the daily cases with 434 added on Wednesday last, the highest single day tally in 157 days. Also ‘Variant of Concern’ have been confirmed based on the results of genome sequencing.
In a communication to Chief Medical Officers of Jammu region, Directorate of Health Services Jammu has informed that new ‘Variant of Concern’ have been reported i.e. BA.2.75, BA.2.38., BA.5.2, BA.2.76, BA.2, BA.2.78, BA.5.2.1, BA.4, BA.2.74. The samples had been dispatched for Whole Genome Sequencing to NCDC New Delhi on June 30 and July 11 and the results were received on July 20.
“While the admissions in the hospitals and mortality is negligible at present, behavior of virus is unpredictable due to constant mutations,” the DHSJ said, adding, “You (CMOs) are advised to closely monitor the patients/families affected by the new variant of concern in respective districts.”
He also underlined that in view of the new strain and also upsurge of COVID cases, there is need to adopt “Strategic Surveillance by increasing Testing, Tracing, Treating, Vaccinating and Implementing CAB Covid Appropriate Behavior.”
A senior government doctor here also urged people to follow the “golden principle” of wearing masks, maintain hand hygiene and get necessary vaccine doses. “Hospital admissions are few but see the WHO report regarding Europe where coronavirus cases have tripled in the past six weeks and hospitalisation rates doubled, although intensive care admissions have remained low,” the senior doctor said, adding, “People should never underestimate the potential of the virus”.
In view of spike in Covid-19 cases, Administrations in all almost all districts of the Valley recently made wearing of face-masks mandatory in public places. (GNS)
