India has achieved over 80 percent vaccination with over 187 crore vaccines administered till April 20. Even adolescents too are getting vaccinated with the elderly even getting booster doses. But still Delhi started witnessing increase in Covid positive cases with daily cases crossing over 2,000 for the last three days.
In response to the increase in Covid cases in the city, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) sprang into action. It made wearing face masks mandatory in the national capital on April 13. The move raised valid doubts and if it was taken in haste and did it indicate re-infection of the virus in the people.
Though vaccination has helped tremendously in mitigating severity of Covid, it is still important to maintain necessary social distancing in public places and usage of masks is still relevant.
PSRI Hospital Senior consultant, Pulmonology, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Dr Neetu Jain says, “Though vaccination has helped tremendously in mitigating severity of Covid, it is still important to maintain necessary social distancing in public places and usage of masks is still relevant.
“Most people have got vaccinated but still we must not take it easy. We must continue wearing masks as DDMA has made it mandatory once again. People are becoming lax with Covid appropriate behaviour, so making mask mandatory is the step in right direction.”
Becoming Lax!
Doctors and experts, nevertheless feel that the rise in cases could be not only because people are becoming lax in following the Covid protocols but due to the new XE variant surfacing in the country. This new XE variant is a combination of the sub-variants of corona virus that was discovered in South Africa. It first surfaced in Gujarat and Maharashtra in India.
The symptoms of the new XE variant are the same as Covid 19 which include fever, cough, and tiredness, say experts. It is no different from the corona virus.
Officials state that XE variant is highly transmissible. However, there is a sense of relief also as it is considered mild.
But regardless of it being mild or not, the case in point it is that XE variant is difficult to detect. And even normal swab test have to be specially tested for the XE variant.
The question comes to mind – Is the new XE variant responsible for the rise in cases?
A few months back, Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur had predicted we could expect the fourth Covid wave around middle of June which will last for two months and peak from August mid onwards.
“After three waves, first in 2020 (Covid), second in April 2021 (Delta variant) and third in December/January 2022 (Omicron), is this the start of the fourth wave (XE variant)?” says Dr Manav Manchanda of Asian Hospital.
But the government is not keen to go by the IIT researchers and downplays the suggestions that the fourth wave would be hitting the country anytime soon.
However, medical authorities concur with the researchers. Doctors feel that Covid is not over and perceive that the fourth wave could be just round the corner.
Its not over
Without much debate scientific debate, we ought to take care as the threat of corona was not over.
And for those, who have not taken booster dose, you can take Booster dose. The government has reduced the cost of the booster dose which the medical healthcare fraternity was ready to absorb the cost difference. However, even vaccine manufacturers were also ready to take unused stock. There are reports that the vaccine manufactures are willing to adjust the costing in future purchases by the hospitals. Delhi even made it free on April 21.
The booster dose should ideally be given after appropriate time as the elderly are impacted more and thus they need to be cautious. The role of vaccination and the booster dose cannot be undermined, hence take a booster dose if vaccinated.
And women especially need to be extra cautious. Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist, Obstetrician & IVF Expert, Nurture Clinic, said, “Women need to be more alert during pregnancy. There is a chance that you may not be infected and affect your new born, but why take a chance. Pregnant women need to take extra care.”
And did you know that in the age group 12-14 year old, so far, 2.57 crore adolescents have been vaccinated with first dose of vaccine in the country.
However, the government has so far not gone strict and closed schools and resorted to online classes once again and is permitting regular classes even as the cases started surfacing in schools in Noida and Delhi. Doctors in any case, advise caution.
Remain vigilant
“Remain vigilant especially for the sake of the children. We have to defeat Corona. The battle is long so, fight till your last mask. Maintain your healthy habits. In any case, Indians normally would wash hands before eating, so we just need to continue to broaden the selfcare base and just go on wearing masks,” says Dr Archna Dhawan Bajaj.
Wash your hand and maintain hygiene and remember to follow the social distancing norms and sanitize yourself whenever needed.
