ARTICLES ON Pandemic

The possibility of another COVID wave in India cannot be overlooked, given the present conditions in some countries like Japan, the US, Korea, and China. Experts share their thoughts on how to prevent and tackle the COVID surge. In the wake of the sudden rise in coronavirus cases in many countries around the end of 2022, India began strengthening its COVID precaution measures. States and UTs were asked to ensure that necessary public health measures are put in place to minimize the spread of the virus, as well as to strengthen the focus on TestTrack-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to COVID-appropriate behavior. Additionally, states were told to monitor and report cases of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory illness on a regular basis for detecting the early rising trend of COVID-19 cases. Currently, the COVID situation in India seems to be pretty much under control, with less than 100 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. But the possibility of another wave cannot be overlooked, given the present conditions in some countries like Japan, the US, Korea, and China. So, what we can do now to prevent the COVID-19 surge? Let’s hear what the experts have to say on this: Vaccination is the best way to prevent the COVID-19 surge Dr. Nikhil Modi says, “The virus that causes COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus that has been there for many years. These viruses tend to change their genetic material from time to time, leading to the evolution of new strains. In the same way, the COVID-19 virus has the tendency to change its material and form new strains, which can cause newer infections even in persons who have had COVID or even if they are vaccinated. Hence, a sudden change in a strain can bring about a surge in infections at any time.” According to him, the golden rule to prevent or reduce a further surge in COVID-19 cases is to get all people vaccinated. He elaborates, “Even if the number of infections increases if all people are vaccinated, the chances of developing a serious disease will be less. Also, from the previous COVID waves, we have observed that wearing a mask provides protection against the virus to a great extent. So, we should not let our guard down and continue to follow good habits in the future too. A mask can go a long way in protecting us against COVID-19 and minimizing the spread of the disease. Additionally, we should keep our immunity stronger by following a good healthy diet. Those who have an underlying disease should take their medicines regularly. By taking these steps we can disrupt the chain of COVID spread and thus future surge.” People should stick to the COVID-19 protocols As many countries report a rise in COVID cases, Dr. Aniket Mule, Consultant Internal Medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals in Mira Road, also highlighted the importance of strict adherence to COVID-19 protocol, which includes masking, hand sanitizing, and social distancing. He advises that you should: “Do not allow any visitors at home, if you have small kids at home as they will be at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19,” he adds. Need a 360-degree healthcare service to tackle the COVID surge Prashant Kashyap, Co-Founder, and COO, of Connect and Heal, opines that digitization of healthcare can help better deal with any healthcare crisis in the future. He states, “The onset of the pandemic pushed businesses to go virtual almost overnight. With working from home becoming the norm, employees’ needs and expectations regarding healthcare benefits also changed. As a result, today, several organizations provide healthcare services above and beyond health insurance as a benefit. With the expanding scope of healthcare benefits, the need for a technology-based solution is more evident than ever. This is where tech-enabled platforms providing 360 healthcare will play a crucial role in the event of a new wave.” “Be it telemedicine, health screenings, emergency support, or preventive care, the ability to provide seamless access will determine how effective a solution is. And seamless delivery is possible only through the digitization of healthcare. While the pandemic catalyzed the adoption of digital healthcare, a lot more is possible with a greater degree of public-private partnerships. Digitization of healthcare would also help standardize care protocols across the entire healthcare ecosystem – a must for dealing with any healthcare crisis in the future,” he adds. Globally, 2.8 million new COVID cases recorded last week According to WHO, nearly 2.8 million new COVID-19 cases and more than 13, 000 deaths related to the disease were reported worldwide in the week of 9 to 15 January 2023. The highest numbers of new weekly cases were reported from Japan (1,025,321), the United States of America (415,864), the Republic of Korea (286 291), Australia (191,750), and China (190,451). The highest numbers of new weekly deaths were reported from the United States of America (3922 new deaths), Japan (2849), China (802), Australia (742), and France (520). In the last 24 hours, India recorded 89 new COVID-19 cases, according to the data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday morning. The country’s active caseload currently stands at 1,931, while its daily and weekly positivity rates stand at 0.06 percent and 0.08 percent respectively. During the same period, 90 patients recovered from the viral disease, and the country’s current recovery rate is reported at 98.81 percent. In view of rising coronavirus cases in many countries, the Indian government recently revised its guidelines pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the protocols for international travelers. Starting this month, negative RT-PCR report was made mandatory for international passengers from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand. Thermal screening is also done for all the passengers at the point of entry and those found to be symptomatic during screening are isolated and taken to a designated medical facility as per health protocol. So far, India has administered 220.30 crore total vaccine doses (95.16 crore second doses and 22.57 crore precaution doses) under Nationwide Vaccination Drive. At present, more than 2 lakh doses are administered

After the WHO chief’s statement that the end of COVID-19 is in sight, doctors in India concede but say precautions need to continue. Over 2 years after declaring COVID-19 an international emergency and a pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed optimism about the status of the dreaded coronavirus. In a recent statement that has gone viral, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, mentioned, “We are not there yet. But the end is in sight,” he said, adding how “Now is the time to run harder and make sure we cross the line and reap the rewards of all our hard work.” In India, the fight against COVID-19 continues as the last figures reported by the Union health ministry indicate the emergence of over 6,200 fresh cases in 24 hours. So, is the end of COVID-19 really in sight for India? “The end of COVID-19 is around the corner, but continue taking precautions,” says Dr. Namita Jaggi. Normally, a pandemic takes about two to two and a half years. It has already been two years with coronavirus. The end is definitely around the corner, but before we reach that end, we have been very careful during this journey and continue taking precautions, especially while traveling in crowds, and hospitals, it is important not to let our guards down and continue wearing masks and follow social and physical distancing and keep our hands clean. Though vaccination now is getting inclusive throughout the world, the variants are also multiplying, so it is important to keep following the precautionary steps. Masks also prevent other respiratory diseases like influenza, so it is a very good habit to wear masks especially in airports and inside closed spaces like airplanes where people stay together for a very long time. If you get infected, even though it will be mild but may cause problems in those with comorbidities. Hence, prevention is better than cure, try and prevent getting infected. “There is herd immunity for COVID-19 to a certain degree,” says Dr. Behram Pardiwala, Director of Internal Medicines, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central. “The COVID-19 pandemic has now become endemic with the result that there is community spread and attainment of herd immunity to a certain degree. My personal opinion is that like the annual influenza shot, we will need to take an annual vaccination against Covid-19. We will still need to take adequate precautions against COVID-19, especially in crowded areas and crowded places to prevent its spread. One also has to be vigilant about mutations and new strains evolving and that is why the vaccine also will have to evolve. Towards this end, it is also necessary that the common public themselves are aware of the consequences of risks of their behavior.” “COVID-19 is no more a rapidly spreading disease,” says Dr. Dipu TS. “From the previous pandemics, our understanding is that by 2 to 3 years the pandemic will seize to be a major challenge. We can see that in our daily lives, we are almost back to the pre-pandemic times with the opening up of schools and restaurants and public places. In the majority of the countries, now the restrictions are namesake. Though new COVID-19 case numbers are still giving us the hint that it’s far from over, the fact is that it’s no more a rapidly spreading disease that sweeps across the nations. The assumption is that the most infectious variant that is the Omicron variant has already been there and now the circulating variants are less likely to produce a more infectious variant to glide across the globe. The hybrid immunity the masses have, due to vaccination and prior infection, also adds to the beginning of the end. Hence, the World Health Organization, rightly said that the end is in sight.” “Witnessing very less Covid-induced heart complications,” says Dr. Ankur Phatarpekar. “As a cardiologist, I am seeing very less cases of COVID-19 in my OPD and very less Covid-induced complications of the heart. In the last 6 months, I have almost not come across any patient who has suffered any heart attacks or heart disease complications due to Covid. So, yes, as WHO suggested, the pandemic is at an end-stage. However, we all still should follow some safety protocols to keep us at bay from any further viruses.” “The human race has proven its superiority to what has been its biggest threat to existence in recent times. However, we still need to be cautious. We must learn from our failures and take forward the positives for a brighter future. Vaccination has been an important factor for us to reach this day. We are definitely reaching the end of COVID-19, but for that, it’s very important to continue following the protocols.” says Dr. Naman Bansal. Dr. Behram PardiwalaDirector of Internal MedicinesWockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central To book an appointment call: +918291101001 Source: https://www.healthshots.com/health-news/covid-19-is-the-end-in-sight-for-india-heres-what-experts-say/

Region’s Swine Flu cases continue to rise with several cases being reported every day. Deaths due to flu have been reported and severe pneumonia has also increased. Dr. Swaroop Verma, Consultant- Internal Medicine and Critical Care, Wockhardt Hospitals, Nagpur says that this is the time when people need to be very careful in preventing the disease and keeping a close watch for the symptoms. “The Swine Flu cases are increasing and people need to be careful. In case of any symptoms, a close watch is needed”, he says. Common Symptoms of Swine Flu Include: Swine Flu is contagious, and it spreads in the same way as the seasonal flu. When people who have it cough or sneeze, they spray tiny drops of the virus into the air. Who is More Likely to be at Risk of Swine Flu? Things you Can Do to Stay Healthy: Also, keep a close watch for the symptoms. In case you see them, contact a doctor. Immediate H1N1 test, x-rays, and CT scans might require for your patients once symptoms are confirmed. Dr. Swaroop Verma, Consultant- Internal Medicine and Critical Care, Wockhardt Hospitals, Nagpur To book an appointment call: +918605604444 Source: https://thelivenagpur.com/2022/08/13/swine-flu-on-rise-how-to-take-care-of-you-and-your-family/

As public health department, while doing door-to-door screening for the infection, could also test citizens for basic health conditions such as blood sugar, kidney, and liver function among others. They said the data from this will help the authorities come up with better healthcare plans and help arrest the spread as well as monitor high-risk patients better. Dr. Wiqar Shaikh expressed concerns about people with comorbidities not being traced and added that the infection may prove severe for such people, leading to prolonged hospitalization or even death. He quoted an article published in the British Medical Journal on June 15 which concluded that the risk is highest in people suffering from diabetes, obesity, and mental disorders. Dr. Shaikh also quoted the article which stated that 20 percent of people worldwide are estimated to be at higher risk of adverse COVID outcomes due to comorbidities and that the risk of death due to COVID-19 in patients with comorbidities is four-fold in the age group of 50 to 64 years and 10-fold in the age group above 85 years. An Indian study, published in the journal Biomed Research International on April 6, concluded that in India, the risk of complications increases with comorbidities, and the effect is magnified due to the contribution of single or multiple comorbid conditions. The study concluded that diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease conferred the most severity in COVID-19. Dr. Shaikh asked the authorities to wake up and insisted that a door-to-door survey be conducted urgently to enumerate those who have comorbidities as well as those who have a fever. He added, “The civic body along with conducting door-to-door RT-PCR tests, should also screen people from slums, chawls, etc. for basic comorbidities by doing routine blood tests which will help ascertain the high-risk category of people. Such basic tests are cheap and won*t pinch the common man.” Dr. Santosh Bansode, Head of the Department, Emergency Medicine, Wockhardt hospitals, said, “Most people in our country don*t do preventive health check-ups and don*t know what comorbidities they may have. We have seen that people with comorbidities suffer more, so I feel that along with COVID tests, the government should do basic blood tests like blood sugar, creatinine level for kidney, and liver function tests so that we know which residential pockets have more people with comorbidities, so we can keep advanced COVID centers with all facilities to tackle serious illness ready.” Dr. Ketan Vagholkar, is also of the opinion that citizens should get basic health check-ups done as “this will enable the authorities to identify high-risk groups requiring prompt and urgent medical attention, in case of being diagnosed with COVID-19. Health authorities, while conducting door-to-door screenings should also consider free screening for comorbidities in areas which have a vulnerable population.” To book an appointment call: 022-61784444 Source: https://www.mid-day.com/amp/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/check-up-for-covid-19-get-full-body-check-done-too-experts-23232280

Experts note that the symptoms of Covid-19 in fully vaccinated people may progress a bit differently than in unvaccinated people. All you want to know. As Covid-19 cases once again see an uptick in the country, the efforts to contain its spread and reduce the risk of hospitalizations and deaths through booster drive are at full steam. Getting fully vaccinated against Covid-19 is known to significantly reduce the risk of a severe disease needing admission to hospital or ICU and mortality. However, vaccines do not necessarily prevent one from getting infected with Covid, and with the emergence of newer strains and subvariants of Omicron, the risk of breakthrough infections seems to have increased. Experts note that the symptoms of Covid-19 in fully vaccinated people may progress a bit differently than in unvaccinated people. The symptoms are expected to be milder and doctors note that during the third wave, sore throat was the only symptom in vaccinated people, while others had a cough, cold, fever, sore throat, high-grade fever, and body pain even after vaccination. “The main difference between the unvaccinated and vaccinated population is not the symptoms but the progression and the pace of progression of the disease. In an unvaccinated population, progression is rapid and disease is severe,” Dr. Sai Reddy, told HT Digital. Dr. Reddy says considering the majority of the population is already vaccinated, Covid at present is slightly different from the Covid in the past. Vaccination may not fully protect you from Covid and this is the reason one must watch out for breakthrough infections although the symptoms may not be severe. “Vaccination is a vital tool to prevent yourself and those around you from the life-threatening virus, and reduce the severity of the disease. But vaccination will not mean that you will not get infected with Coronavirus at all. All the available Coronavirus vaccines are good at protecting people against severe forms of Covid-19, but they are not 100 % effective in preventing infection. Those fully vaccinated people with weakened immunity due to various medical conditions like cancer or chemotherapy or the ones who fail to follow Covid-appropriate behavior are at the risk of breakthrough Covid infection,” says Dr. Bipin Jibhkate, Consultant critical care medicine, and ICU director at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. The sore throat was the most common symptom in vaccinated people during the third wave. Dr. Jibhkate says severe symptoms such as breathing problems, brain fog, back pain, loss of speech or mobility, confusion, or chest pain have not been reported in fully vaccinated people. “The common symptoms of Covid-19 in the ones who were fully vaccinated are a headache, cough, runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, fatigue, sneezing, fever, muscle pain, or joint pain,” says Dr. Bipin Jibhkate. Dr. Jibhkate says that breakthrough coronavirus infections may lead to mild or moderate illness, but assures the risk of serious Covid-19 is very low when it comes to those who don’t have any chronic health condition. “People with vaccine breakthrough infections may spread Covid-19 to others. However, fully vaccinated people with a breakthrough infection are less likely to have a serious illness with Covid-19 than those who are unvaccinated. Even when vaccinated people develop symptoms, they tend to be less severe than those experienced by unvaccinated individuals,” says Dr. Santosh Jha. According to Dr. Jha, the classic symptoms of Covid-19 in unvaccinated people are fever, continuous cough, loss of sense of smell and taste, fatigue, and joint pain. He, however, says in fully vaccinated people, Covid symptoms mimic flu symptoms and some of the most common signs are sore throat, headache, runny nose, and sneezing. Long-Covid symptoms not reported among fully vaccinated According to Dr. Bipin Jibhkate, those who were fully vaccinated did not report any serious long-Covid symptoms such as memory problems, pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, pneumonia, gut problems, sleep issues, anxiety, or extreme fatigue (tiredness). He adds that as per the evidence available, the patients who got admitted to the hospital were not vaccinated at all. Dr. Jibhkate concludes that even fully-vaccinated people must strictly follow the Covid norms of masking, social distancing, hand sanitizing, avoiding crowded places, not being around sick people, and must take the booster dose when eligible for it. Dr. Bipin JibhkateConsultant Critical Care Medicine, and ICU DirectorWockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/sore-throat-to-runny-nose-experts-on-common-covid-symptoms-in-fully-vaccinated-people-101651124192476.html

Covid side-effects in women: While women are more likely to face sleep troubles, anxiety, menstrual irregularities, fungal infections and hair loss, men usually experience breathlessness post Covid. Covid Side-Effects in Women: If you and your partner have recently recovered from Covid-19, there are chances that both of you would have a different post Covid story to tell. Many studies in West have concluded that the symptoms and severity of post Covid disease have a clear demarcation for men and women. While women are more likely to face sleep troubles, anxiety, menstrual irregularities, fungal infections and hair loss, men usually experience breathlessness post Covid, say studies. According to certain studies, while the Covid symptoms largely remain the same for men and women to begin with, the latter faced more extensive ones post the disease which also take a little more time to recover as compared to men. As per a Lancet article published in November 2020, while globally Covid-19 case fatality rates are higher among men than women, in a few countries, such as India, fatality rate is higher in women. “The multi centric study in Spain done in 2021 showed that women above the age of 45 years are more prone to develop post covid disease. Also, the symptoms in women were very distinct such as sleep disturbances, palpitations, anxiety, headache, fatigue, low blood pressure and hair loss as compared to men who report breathlessness as their primary symptom,” says Dr Charu Dutt Arora. “Women have been the victim of this virus as well. However, they have been lucky enough to have less morbidity and mortality. Having said that, they are no exception to post covid syndrome. We have seen menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia in maximum of our patients. Also,we have noticed hair loss lasting for months, especially in younger age group,” says Dr Honey Savla, Consultant Internal Medicine, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central. Elaborating on other post Covid symptoms women usually face Dr Savla says, “they have been suffering from loose motions for longer time. We have noticed highly deranged blood sugars in many individuals. There are complaints of easy fatiguability and breathlessness lasting for longer time. Also I have seen increase in genital fungal infections since second wave,” says the expert. Dr Arora says it happens because at a molecular level, it has been observed that the IL-6 level is higher in females during their post-Covid period. The expert suggests that it is imperative for healthcare workers to customise the treatment in long Covid on the basis of sex of the patient. Studies also suggest that women suffer more from post Covid symptoms than men and also take longer to recover. “Though there are small studies to support the fact but females are more affected with post covid symptoms compared to males. As per the studies conducted at Mayo Clinic, symptoms of Covid-19 were similar to begin with in both genders. But post covid 19 symptoms – which are symptoms developing after 2 months of infection – were more common in females which took slightly longer duration to recover,” says Dr Santosh Kumar Jha. Most Common Post-Covid Symptoms in Male and Females are Following: Dr Honey Savla, Consultant Internal Medicine, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central. Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/covid-side-effects-in-women-why-women-suffer-longer-than-men-expert-take-101646833457395.html

Doctors say it’s not that the antibodies do not work, but there is a possibility that they “may not be sufficient antibody response to the infection”, due to which the person may not develop adequate immunity and his body is prone to infection again. Of late, many cases of individuals being re-infected with Covid-19 have been reported, prompting health authorities to once again stress the need to continue taking precautionary measures. As such, fresh guidelines to curb the spread of Covid-19 and its variants including Omicron have also been issued. In light of the same, it’s essential to understand why reinfection after recovery — and in some cases double vaccination — is still happening, and what can be done. What is Covid-19 reinfection? According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reinfection is when a person gets infected once, recovers, and then gets infected again. According to experts, based on what is known from similar viruses, some reinfections are expected. Ongoing Covid-19 studies will help us understand: *How likely is reinfection?*How often does reinfection occurs?*How soon after the first infection can reinfection take place?*How severe are cases of reinfection?*Who might be at higher risk for reinfection?*What does reinfection means for a person’s immunity?*Whether a person is able to spread Covid-19 to other people when reinfected In an AIIMS Delhi study, two doses of indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin were found to be 86 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 reinfections in Indian healthcare workers (HCWs) during the second wave that was driven by the Delta variant. The study was published in the JAMA Network Open journal. Another National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) study suggested that prior infection in patients with Covid-19 was highly protective against reinfection and symptomatic disease. This protection increased over time, suggesting that viral shedding or ongoing immune response may persist beyond 90 days and may not represent true reinfection. As vaccine supply is limited, patients with a known history of Covid-19 could delay early vaccination to allow for the most vulnerable to access the vaccine and slow transmission, the November 2021 study mentioned. Experts have noted waning immunity in patients who have recovered from Covid-19. Does that make people more vulnerable to reinfections? Dr. Sulaiman Ladhani, believes “cases testing repetitively positive are very rare”. “Even if such cases are seen, it could be in a setting where there is high exposure for people, like healthcare workers, or those with multiple co-morbidities or extremely low immunity. But this is very rare,” he said. Dr. MD Mubasheer Ali said, “Large-scale serological screening with validated tests will identify individuals who may have protective immunity to infection and a better measure of disease activity. It is highly unlikely that Covid-19 infection strikes the person twice in a short window.” Reinfection with Covid-19 or SARS-CoV2 is said to be a matter of scientific discussion. As of now, it is not clear whether a person who has been infected once develops permanent immunity against the disease, or can get reinfected. An understanding can help decide intervention strategies required to control the spread of the disease which can aid in assessing how long people will have to depend on masks and physical distancing, as well as vaccinations and precaution doses. According to Dr. Bipin Jibhkate, consultant critical care medicine, and ICU director Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, a person can “test positive twice or thrice a month as the deadly virus is still present in the body”. “It takes around 30 days on average for the virus to disappear after one exhibits the symptoms of Covid. It can be present for a longer time when it comes to the older population or one having a severe illness. Testing positive again and again can be shocking and worrisome for the patient, but that doesn’t mean he/she is contagious and will transmit the infection to others around. They may not have an active infection at that time. Those who keep testing positive need to follow Covid-appropriate behavior: wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and sanitize hands. Be at home, do not allow any visitors at home,” said Dr. Jibhkate. So, do antibodies not work? It’s not that the antibodies do not work, but there is a possibility that they “may not be sufficient antibody response to the infection”, due to which the person may not develop adequate immunity and his body is prone to infection again, asserted Dr. Ladhani. According to Dr. Vishal Wadhwa, SARS Cov-2 is a highly mutable virus and has gone over 33 lakh mutations by now. “Usually, a mutation leads to viral death but rarely it encodes for a survival advantage and ensures enhanced transmission/severity of the infection and immune escape. Vaccines/infections create two types of immune responses. One is humoral (antibody) and the second is cell-mediated. Immune escape happens when the mutation occurs at the S gene which codes for the spike protein. Due to this, the existing humoral antibodies are not able to counter the fresh invasion and a person suffers from an infection; cell-mediated immunity comes into play later and is not able to prevent the occurrence,” explained Dr. Wadhwa. Agreed Dr. Arunesh Kumar, explained how “one can get Covid positive multiple times because what Covid test detects is one particular Covid infection episode”. “Like other viruses, SARS COV-2 too mutate. Mutations mean they modify their genetic core, which is essentially the nucleus of the virus. When it changes the core material, it starts behaving like a new virus and that’s why our immunity doesn’t recognize them as the same Covid virus, which we had been infected with previously,” noted Dr. Kumar. In light of cases of Omicron, a highly contagious virus, what are the possibilities? “Omicron has shown at least 47 mutations affecting all the regions of its genome including spike protein. This means there will be an immune escape phenomenon leading to reinfections and also there will be a failure to detect SARS COV-2 by a few PCR kits. In addition, there will be a chance that patients will fail to respond to monoclonal antibodies and existing anti-viral antibiotics (due to mutations in the non-structural protein-encoding region as well),” elaborated Dr. Wadhwa. Dr.

While billions got affected by this deadly virus, more than five million have lost their lives. Even after two years since this novel coronavirus first started impacting human lives, Covid-19 crisis is far from over. While this virus is in no mood to leave us anytime soon, doctors are suggesting how to stay cautious, and learn to live with these conditions. Europe is set to relax all restrictions imposed since January 2020, and want people to get accustomed to the changing environment. People in India too will have to accept the fact that Covid-19 is now an endemic, and it is like any other coronavirus or flu which causes various ailments in all age groups. Commenting on the changing scenario, Dr. Rohith Reddy Pathuri, said that there is too much uncertainty about what shape and form the coronavirus will take with time. “Will it impact more people or less, a new variant will be more fatal or less, how many more mutations will we come across, have we acquired immunity against this virus; nothing is certain. While we doctors are still monitoring the traits of the Covid-19 virus, it is important people continue to stay cautious, and ensure they follow all necessary safety protocols before we are fully out of this problem,” he said. “Businesses cannot remain closed, people must step out to earn a living, students must attend physical classes for better academic progression, the world must move on. While we are worried about the continuing risk, it is also important people will have to step out for economic and livelihood reasons. Hence, it is important people follow necessary safety protocols and ensure they do not expose themselves to viruses easily,” said Dr. S. Ravindra Kumar. According to Dr. Sudhir Prasad, Consultant – the world is witnessing a phase of transition and might have to start reacting a little differently to the changing times. “Our behavior too will have to change from the past two years, because we will be more mobile for professional or economic reasons and will start interacting with others more frequently. According to Google, people started searching for the term “endemic” and want to understand what it means and how it is going to impact their lives. No educational institution or business establishment can remain shut forever, hence it is important people adapt to the changing scenario and start living with the challenges.” “Across Metro cities and in rural locations, the number of deaths due to Covid-19 infection has reduced over the last couple of months. While the Omicron variant led to a drastic increase in the number of cases in India, and around the World; the medical fraternity is widely debating the risk associated with it. Because we do not see a radical rise in the number of deaths caused due to novel coronavirus, it is widely accepted that this new variant might not be as dangerous. Hence, people can start leading their normal lives, attend work, and academic sessions. But continue to stay cautious,” concluded Dr. Mohd Vaseem. “Attending school is an important element in the overall evolution of a child! Covid-19 has kept students away from their classrooms for two academic years, and quite a few might have not interacted well with their friends. All this is likely to have a bearing on the mental health of children. It is important parents accept the fact that this virus might not leave us all anytime soon, hence stay cautious, follow Covid appropriate behavior and send their children to schools for better academic and mental development,” said Dr. Mahesh Sarda, Consultant- Internal Medicine and Critical Care, Wockhardt Hospitals, Nagpur. Spain, the United Kingdom are relaxing Covid-19 restrictions, and a few more European nations are even relaxing the mandatory wearing of mask norm to optional. The United States which witnessed a maximum number of infections and deaths over the past two years too might fully relax restrictions. Considering these changing times, India cannot stay behind and will have to catch up with the emerging trends. So, the best people can do is to practice self-discipline in following safety protocols, wearing masks and where possible social distancing, and moving towards leading lives normally. Source: https://www.newkerala.com/news/2022/11927.htm

India reported 2.38 lakh fresh COVID cases over the past 24 hours, 7 per cent lower than yesterday. The positivity rate dropped from 19.65 per cent to 14.43 per cent. According to scientists, the way to retard the curve completely will be to ensure vaccination (primary doses) for all and a healthy seropositivity rate. Although India has amped up vaccination across all eligible age groups, there is still a significant proportion of the population that hasn’t received even a single dose and is most vulnerable to catching an infection. As per government data, only 2.78 crore doses have been administered to pregnant women — 1.59 crore have got the first dose and 1.19 crore have taken both doses — as of January 15. “There are sporadic data available on vaccination among the pregnant population. The last state-wise data that is available in the public domain dates back to September-October 2021. We need to vaccinate this group urgently as they are also in the high-risk category to catch the infection and develop complications if not tended to. We don’t have data on the impact of this latest Omicron surge on pregnant women, but in my clinic, the calls have increased. My patients are hesitant of getting vaccinated as they fear the fever could cause havoc with their unborn,” Dr. Mithee Bhanot, told News9. Out of 12 expecting mothers, she has three patients in their second trimester who are suffering from mild symptoms of COVID. “They are under home isolation and their condition is being monitored very carefully. One out of the three is fully vaccinated yet had a breakthrough infection. The rest of my patients are being advised to take their primary dose at the earliest,” she said. In Delhi, around 2 lakh pregnant women and lactating mothers have received their vaccination and the state government has also decided to deploy ASHA and Anganwadi workers to create awareness and encourage those left to get the COVID vaccine at the earliest. When is the Best Time to Take a Primary Dose? Due to the absence of data and studies around pregnancy and SARS CoV 2, doctors say it is difficult to pinpoint what is the best time but they agree that ideally the first trimester should be avoided for any dose of the vaccine. “It is very important to get your vaccination – both doses. We tell pregnant women who are in their first trimester to wait to get their vaccine since the foetus is still in the development stage. But as soon as the organogenesis is complete, it is advisable for all pregnant women to take the vaccine – be it Covishield or Covaxin. If there has been a history of blood clots in the past, we recommend that they go for Covaxin. COVID appropriate behaviour needs to be followed strictly like washing of hands, wearing a mask when someone comes to visit, self-isolating as much as possible (especially during waves like this) and it is important to get all family members tested for COVID, even if they are asymptomatic. We know this Omicron variant is highly infectious and maybe in community transmission but for pregnant women, we are looking at complete prevention of the disease rather than halting the severity,” Dr Gandhali Deorukhkar, a consultant of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai, said. Agrees Dr Sharmila Solanki, “If the first trimester is over, get jabbed with both doses as soon as possible. The vaccine may not give you 100 per cent protection against the variant but it will not let the disease develop into something serious. It’s best for the woman and her unborn,” she added. On Foetus Getting Antibodies Too Gynaecologists say it has to be impressed upon women that there are absolutely no harmful side effects of the vaccination. Even fever that is caused due to immunization is not a reason for worry. “The other thing to remind moms-to-be is that the vaccination will not only protect them from the severity of the Omicron/Delta variant but will also protect the foetus to a great extent. Getting both doses is a must and we haven’t seen any major reaction to the vaccine even when it has been taken in the third trimester,” Dr Birbala Rai. About 90 per cent of pregnant ladies on her list are vaccinated. “For the rest, we are in the process of counselling them to get the jab. Family pressure and rumours are keeping them away like complications during delivery or the baby being stillborn. But these are unfounded rumours,” she clarifies. According to her, whatever antibodies the pregnant woman is developing the same goes for the foetus. “There is vertical transmission of antibodies. That is the basic purpose of giving those jabs in the first place when the woman gets pregnant. We are protecting the foetus from developing serious diseases. The same is true for lactating mothers. Through mother’s milk, antibodies are supposed to get transmitted to the baby,” Solanki tells you. On Reasons why Women are Hesitating to Get Vaccinated There are several, says Deorukhkar. “Basic education on the impact of COVID during pregnancy is missing. There are many questions that are unanswered. Most people feel that if they are pregnant and get a vaccination, they will have a miscarriage. This is far from true. Studies have shown that vaccination has no bearing on miscarriages. In fact, getting vaccinated will prevent the mother from getting the virus or at least prevent hospital admission during the ongoing COVID surge,” she reiterated. Should One Avoid Pregnancy if Tested Positive for COVID? “To plan a pregnancy is a family decision. In the first wave and the second, we didn’t have much information about the virus. But today, we are better prepared. We have seen two waves and there is so much more that we know about COVID-19 – about the disease, the symptoms and the complications of not taking the jab,” Birbala says, adding that every virologist is stressing the fact that

According to an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) officer, Bharat Biotech’s COVID vaccine, “Covaxin,” may be more effective against the highly-mutating Omicron variant that appeared this week. According to the reports, the official, who requested anonymity, believes that the vaccination is likely to be more successful against Omicron than other current vaccines. The official said that Covaxin, a virion-inactivated vaccine, “covers the entire virus and can work against this highly mutated new variant.” Another unnamed ICMR official stated in the report, “We can expect that it will be effective against the new variant as well.” Covaxin was also proven to be effective against other variants such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. However, the official cautioned against resting on one’s laurels until more samples had been received and evaluated. “We expect it to provide protection. Once we receive samples, we will test the vaccine’s efficacy at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune,” the official stated. The vaccine was designed against the initial version identified in Wuhan, according to the paper, and “has shown that it can work against other variants,” with more research continuing. In theory, because Covaxin covers all antigens and epitopes rather than just the spike protein like mRNA (Moderna, Pfizer) and adenovector vaccines (Sputnik, AstraZeneca), “it may give better protection against Omicron,” according to Dr. Kedar Toraskar of Wockhardt Hospital. More research and testing, however, are required. Omicron contains around 30 mutations in the spike protein area, giving it the ability to create an immune escape mechanism, according to Dr. Randeep Guleria, who also stressed that vaccination effectiveness must be carefully assessed. Spike protein facilitates a virus’s entry into the host cell, allowing it to spread and cause infection. “Because most vaccines (work by) forming antibodies against the spike protein, many mutations at the spike protein region may lead to a decrease in COVID-19 vaccine efficacy,” Guleria told the media. Source: https://english.sakshi.com/news/editors-picks/those-who-took-covaxin-dont-have-worry-about-omicron-heres-why-147614