Can’t sit back and relax as virus can raise its ugly head without warning, say experts
By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: Proactive steps taken by Jammu and Kashmir administration and mass vaccination drive have kept the COVID-19 third wave at bay in the Union Territory.
According to the officials people above the age of 45-years have already been vaccinated, and the process is on to provide COVID-19 jabs to all the adults.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha while chairing the weekly meeting with Covid Task Force, SSPs here on Friday reviewed the Covid response and containment measures of the districts administrations.
He emphasized on adopting multifold strategies to prevent the third wave, the Lt Governor passed specific directions for further enhancing the testing and tracing in the coming days. Maximum vaccination, continuously analyzing the situation, strict adherence to Covid protocols, and enforcement of containment measures should be the focused area of the administration at all levels to tackle the future health challenges, the Lt Governor said.
A medico while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “It’s evident that vaccinations have helped as the patient rush has declined and there has been no sudden spike in the cases. There were apprehensions that the Covid cases may rise after Eid-ul-Adha and ongoing marriage season but till date situation has remained under control.”
“The fears about vaccines being unsafe have been dispelled and more and more people are coming forward to take a Covid jab. The health workers have played an important role by reaching out to far flung areas to carry out the inoculation drive,” the medico added.
An official said, “Threat of a third Covid wave is still prevalent. We cannot sit back and relax. The administration is monitoring the situation closely. Reports emanating from places in South India are disturbing and we have to remain vigilant. The guard cannot be lowered. People need to follow the Covid Appropriate Behavior to keep the virus at bay.”
He said, “Many steps have been taken to ensure that the virus doesn’t raise its ugly head again but people have to cooperate and they have to understand that prevention is better than cure.”
According to the experts the virus can mutate and turn ugly without even a warning. “The pandemic has not ended. The Covid is still present everywhere and we are still very far from developing herd immunity. Next three months are crucial. If the positivity rate remains low we can assume that we have won the war against Covid and it has lost its sting. We have to remain patient for some more time,” said an expert.
