SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: The new variant of COVID-19 Omicron has once again put entire world in a situation of confusion and distress. Where Israel and other European countries have banned flights to all African countries, India is deliberating with experts regarding reopening of international flights, which was early scheduled to begin from December 15. Despite a warning issued by WHO about next deadly wave of virus, people are still violating COVID-19 protocols especially in the summer capital of UT.
According to Dr Randeep Gularia, Director AIIMS New Delhi, that Omicron has been reported to have at least 32 mutations and 2,000 cases have been confirmed spread over a number of countries.”There are reports that someone got infected just by passing near an infected individual, adding that high transmission chances could make this variant ‘deadlier than Delta’. Even if the virus does not cause severe disease but if it spreads and infects a higher number of people, we will eventually have more hospitalisations and deaths,” he warned.
Several other health experts said that people need to strictly follow COVID-19 appropriate behavior and wear masks. While drawing attention to the number of deaths among unvaccinated people in Kashmir, experts added that it was unfortunate that Kashmir still has people who are still not vaccinated. Experts fear that violations of COVID SoPs may hasten the predicted third wave of virus as an increase in COVID-19 positive cases have been witnessed during past few weeks. Though police and other agencies have been imposing fines on violators from time to time, the violations are increasing with every passing day.
District Administration Srinagar has also asked people to adhere to safety guidelines, with Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Aijaz Assad saying, ‘violation of COVID-19 safety guidelines would be an invitation to third wave’.
After a recent decline, Srinagar district has witnessed the highest number of positive COVID-19 cases among other districts in recent past weeks. Doctors have expressed concern over high number of casualties due to COVID-19, especially among unvaccinated in Kashmir. Three people, all unvaccinated, lost battle with SARS-CoV2 at Chest Diseases Hospital.
Recently, J&K government released an analysis of casualties due to COVID-19 in Kashmir division. As per the data pertaining to approximately three months period, those who had not taken COVID19 vaccine were at least five times more at risk of dying than those who had taken both the doses of vaccine.
On 19 November, this year Government reviewed preventive efforts of the District Administrations against surge in COVID cases. District Administrations were directed to adopt systematic and innovative means for effective clinical management measures in a planned manner. People must adhere to COVID-19 protocols in letter and spirit to avoid imposition of lockdown.