‘New COVID strain can trigger another wave of uncertainty’

Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 29: The reports about new COVID-19 strain reaching India have put the administration across the country on high alert.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued fresh guidelines for the States and Union Territories to prevent situation from taking an ugly turn.
In Kashmir administration has also sounded an alarm as no one wants to take any chances. From January 1, 2021, the administration has decided to impose Rs 500/ as fine on the people who are found without face masks.
According to the experts the new COVID strain can re-infect the people who have already recovered. “Those who have got Covid-19 could get sick again with the new variant,” said Flu expert and DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
He said, “A new mutated Covid strain has surfaced in the United Kingdom and is spreading to other countries. The new variant has multiple mutations in the spike protein of the virus and the most troubling is deletion mutation which makes it spread more easily.”
An official said, “The alert being sounded by the experts cannot be taken lightly. We have to put all the measures in place to ensure that new strain doesn’t enter the union territory.”
He said, “Keeping COVID at bay during winters is a difficult task. We can’t lower the guard and have to remain prepared to face any eventuality.”
A medico said, “The new COVID strain is being considered dangerous as the scientists and experts are unaware about how this new virus will behave. The COVID-19 curve has flattened to some extent but the threat continues to prevail. The emergence of the new strain can complicate the issues and create new problems.”
He said, “As its we don’t have much space to accommodate new patients. And if we get caught in a situation which we witnessed during the peak of COVID it can lead to a catastrophe.”
The medico said, “It’s unfortunate that people are taking COVID lightly and are not taking enough precautions. The concept of wearing masks and social distancing have disappeared. People are attending wedding functions and parties without any restrictions.”
He said, “We have to remember that precaution is better than cure and we have to remain extra cautious. The COVID vaccine is likely to be rolled out soon and the immunization drive can help us to fight the virus more vigorously. But we have to be patient and extra cautious.”

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