COVID-19: EXPERTS WARN OF DEADLY SECOND WAVE

‘Young People Should Remain Vigilant'

The Covid-19 resurgence wave is very steep, and if the callous attitude of people continues, lockdown is the only option to control the pandemic, experts said on Monday...

The Covid-19 resurgence wave is very steep, and if the callous attitude of people continues, lockdown is the only option to control the pandemic, experts said on Monday.

Dr Mohammad Sultan Khuroo said that there are several things that have taken us by great surprise in the second wave.

“The wave is extraordinary steep and it shows something has happened,” Khuroo said.

Khuroo said that the callous attitude of people towards the pandemic, political and religious activities and the presence of mutant variants are the possible reasons behind the resurgence.

“A mutation can occur when the virus can die. When it can be weak than the mutant variant when it becomes as strong as the parent virus. Besides, the mutant variant spreads faster and can kill more people,” he said.

“Earlier we used to say that protect elderly people having comorbidities but it is severe now and is involving younger people. Earlier it was behaving mildly but now infection is severe among young people too, so there is a need to protect every person,” he said. “Although in very few but severe Covid-19 infection can affect lungs of younger people and in few cases, there can be inflammatory syndrome.”

Khuroo said that young people have to remain now more vigilant as the vaccination process hasn't been started for them.

“As of now and everyone must follow covid appreciate behaviour so as to beat the Covid-19.”

He said that even if people today start following Covid appropriate behaviour in letter and spirit there is no need of lockdown, "but if the callous approach of people and steep surge continues then lockdown is the last option to beat this pandemic.”

He said that lockdown creates problems as its implications are massive and it creates economic, social and health-related problems and lockdown should be the last option.

Dr Khursheed Ahmad, a pulmonologist at CD hospital said that severity is more now in younger people too.

"Authorities are here selective, schools have been closed but music concerts and other things are going on,” he said, adding that there is a need for a pragmatic approach and need to keep a vigil on national highway and airport.

“Lockdown is not a solution but there is a need to install proper checking points so that we can beat the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said—(KNO)