Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols. It is important to practice respiratory etiquette, for example by coughing into a flexed elbow, and to stay home and self-isolate until you recover if you feel unwell.
Now, Who has confirmed a new vairnat of this deadly disease in many parts of China and India too.
Delhi health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the national capital is seeing three to four Covid cases on average every day and asserted that the city is well equipped to fight the virus resurgence.
Karnataka, on Tuesday reported 74 fresh cases of Covid-19 and two coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours. This takes the total number of active cases in the state to 464, a Health bulletin said.
Last week, NITI Ayog member (health) Dr VK Paul said the scientific community in India is closely investigating the new Covid sub-variant and stressed the need for states to ramp up testing and strengthen their surveillance systems.
Following the detection of Covid variant JN.1 in the country, Himachal Pradesh’s health department has issued an advisory to the chief medical officers in the state to test patients with Covid-like symptoms and take necessary precautions, officials said.
Experts advise taking precautions including wearing face masks in public, which cuts transmission risks.
According to the bulletin issued by the Health department, in the last 24 hours, as many as 44 patients have been discharged and a total of 6,403 tests have been conducted including 4,680 RT-PCR and 1,723 Rapid Antigen tests. Positivity rate stands at 1.15 per cent while case fatality rate stands at 2.70 per cent.
But more studies are needed to work out the health impact, the WHO says, as the number of countries reporting data on people admitted to hospital with Covid has dramatically reduced.
Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.
To prevent infections and severe disease, the WHO advises:
- wear a mask in crowded, enclosed areas
- cover up coughs and sneezes
- clean your hands regularly
- stay up to date with Covid and flu vaccinations, especially if vulnerable
- stay home if ill
- get tested if you have symptoms
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by staying at least 1 metre apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, and washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently. Get vaccinated when it’s your turn and follow local guidance.
Doctors say the risk of a surge in coronavirus cases during the midst of flu season is concerning, as most of the symptoms of Covid and seasonal influenza overlap with each other. Similar symptoms mean challenges in distinguishing between the two diseases. They have warned that chances of misdiagnosis and negligence could be high during this time, which could lead to delayed treatment and even deaths.
“Both viruses are highly contagious. Covid could cause pneumonia and if left untreated, even death,” said Dr Bikesh Tamrakar, an infectious disease expert at Dhulikhel Hospital. “Also, one could be infected with both viruses at once. Risk of severity and death increases if one gets infected with both viruses at the same time.”