Be Wary Of Covid-19  

There has been a sudden surge in coronavirus cases in some states during the past few days. The number of daily covid-19 infections breached the 7,000 mark for the first time since March 1 as India logged 7,240 new cases in the last 24 hours. The number was 38 per cent higher than the previous day’s tally of 5,233. In the month of June, India has so far reported over 39,400 fresh cases – of these, over 20,000 new infections have been reported just this week.
While the cases this time round have low severity, there are rightly calls for caution and alertness from some official quarters. While it’s true that the majority of those testing positive are reporting mild symptoms with very few instances of hospitalisation, it should not lead to disregarding calls by public health experts to go back to observing safety protocols and ramping up health facilities as a preparatory step. There is every chance that many infected patients are going unchecked because of low testing. In Maharashtra, which is reporting a sharp spike in infections, has resorted to measured precautionary steps to ensure there are no disruptions in normal activities. It is perhaps the right approach. There is no need to panic but throwing caution to wind could be jeopardizing. There is need to realize that covid-19 will continue to be a part of the environment. The Omicron and other of its sub-variants can re-infect any vaccinated person and taking chances is ill-advised. There is need to avoid being casual and careless about anyone falling sick and seek immediate medical assistance. People with low immunity have to be protected and transmission curtailed. It would be sensible for those in the high-risk category, especially, to avoid crowded places, wear masks and maintain hand hygiene.
People and the administration need to move in such a manner so as not to lose the gains made so far in the fight against the pathogen. While cases are not cropping alarmingly but there is need to be guarded.
The experts are unanimous that COVID appropriate behavior as recommended by the World Health Organisation will go a long way to contain the spread of the disease. It is as such imperative that people restart wearing masks and adhere to other simple Covid protocols that had become accepted behaviour not so long ago.