Srinagar: The second wave of COVID-19 has ripped across Kashmir as thousands are testing positive daily and mortality rate too has increased.
Experts had sounded an alert about the present wave well in advance. On February 18, Head of Department at Chest Disease Hospital Dr Naveed Nazir had said that there are indications of the second wave of Covid-19 and there is need to remain cautious. At that point of time he had urged the people that whosoever gets the opportunity, should get Covid vaccine and take precautions. However, many people didn’t take his advice seriously.
A medico while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “No heed was paid towards the warnings that were sounded well in advance. Had the precautions been taken situation would not have deteriorated.”
He said, “At present we were witnessing a huge rush of patients in the hospitals. It appears that the system can crumble if the cases keep on increasing at the same pace. There are many people who have tested positive and are under home isolation. Many have been presumed positive as they were in close contact with the prime positive cases. Situation is grim.”
According to the latest guidelines Rapid Action Test is not an authentic test to declare any patient negative or positive. Once a patient is declared positive he or she must be tested after 10-days of completion of home quarantine and after that he must undergo RTPCR test for confirmation of result. The instructions have been passed to all the medical officers not to test any positive patient before 10-days.
Another medico said, “Some studies have revealed that rapid action tests are missing the new variant and the results are varying. The RTPCR is a complete test. We are in no position to take any chances.”
He said, “The people who have taken vaccination seem to be better protected. Even if they are catching COVID they are not developing severe complications and it’s a good sign. The inoculation drive has been thrown open for all the adults and within few days more and more people will get vaccinated. This will help us to fight the Covid in a better way.”
Another expert said, “Testing holds the key. The RTPCR is an authentic test. Positive means positive and negative means negative. There have been instances of false positives and negatives in RAT tests. At present we are not in a position to assume things we have to be sure. People who are under home isolation need not worry if they remain fine for 10-days, the virus will automatically die. However, patients within home isolation need to keep a check on their oxygen level it should not fall below 90.”
Second Covid wave rips Kashmir apart; positives, presumed positives swell
