3 winter months crucial, take care, warn doctors

Winter is coming. And the three months of the cold season — the period when most viruses get active and traditionally the time of flus, and other diseases such as colds, fevers — will be crucial to how Telangana state ultimately handles Covid-19.

Unless people adhere to Covid-19 safety protocols that for these three months also include celebrating festivals at home with families and stay away from large gatherings or small crowds, it is likely that the state will see a repeat of what happened in Kerala after the Onam celebrations with thousands of new Covid

19 cases being recorded every day. “We are not asking people not to celebrate festivals. They should do so within the confines of their own families. Avoid gatherings. Wherever there are groups of people,

Covid-19 can spread. Dasara is round the corner, will be followed by Diwali in November and Christmas in December. These are the months when people will travel to their native places, from towns and cities to villages or from villages to towns and cities, to join their families,” Director of Public Health Dr G. Srinivasa Rao has said.

“Seventy per cent of all Covid-19 cases found in Telangana state are asymptomatic,” Dr Rao said, meaning that they could be affected by the Coronavirus but not showing any of the symptoms. “Every person you interact could be spreading the disease,” Dr Rao warned.

Covid-19 cases were reducing in Telangana state thanks to the efforts of the state government, health department and people following safety precautions of wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining physical distance and avoiding crowds. “If people relax and give up on these in the festive season, we will see a surge in Covid-19 in the state,” he said.

Dr Rao also announced the launch of a special publicity campaign to help people keep safe during this festival season. The publicity campaign comprises a series of posters, radio jingles and animated video spots.

“Festivals come and go but if a life is lost, it will not come back. Avoid that agony and stay safe,” he said.