Lucknow: As the year 2021 draws to a close amid the threat of another wave of coronavirus pandemic with the emergence of Omicron variant, health experts have warned people not to forget the death and devastation caused by the virus in the last two years and stay alert to ward off another surge.
After the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020, the virus has infected almost 2.4 lakh people, leaving over 2,650 dead in Lucknow.
The second wave in April-May this year was more devastating than the first witnessed from July 2020 to January 2021.
More than 60% of the infections and deaths took place in the second wave when the transmission rate suddenly shot up to unimaginable levels, overwhelming hospital and healthcare facilities, not to forget the economic hardships it heaped on the people, especially migrant workers who walked hundreds of kilometres from various parts of the country to their native places in Uttar Pradesh.
Former head of the microbiology department at the Institute of Medical Sciences-Banaras Hindu University (IMS-BHU), Prof Anil Kumar Gulati, said: “So far, we have seen a pattern in which cases remain low for a few months before surging all of a sudden. For the last six months, daily cases have been minimal and a substantial number of the population has been vaccinated, hence the situation is under control. But the same cannot be predicted about the future, particularly if a new variant arrives.”
“Now, we have experienced almost everything. This experience can be used to tackle the third wave,” he said.
Prof Manodeep Sen, a microbiologist and a faculty member at the Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) said most of the new infections being reported currently were breakthrough, that is, the vaccinated people are getting infected.
“This shows that the virus is finding its way to evade the antibodies of our immune system. If breakthrough infections start happening at a large level, there is a threat of another strong mutation in the virus,” he added.
“The virus undergoes mutation with every new host. As it circulates more, the mutation gets stronger. Hence, apart from the threat of Omicron variant, if cases surge exponentially, possibilities of another highly contagious mutation cannot be ruled out,” said epidemiologist Dr Amit Singh, secretary of the provincial medical services. “This is the reason why we need to exercise extra caution,” he added.
Experts believe that the situation this time may not be as grave as it was in the second wave, but say that while the administration needs to step up contact tracing and make adequate arrangements for oxygen supply, intensive care beds and staff, people need to religiously follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.
Prof D Himanshu, medical superintendent at KGMU and in charge of the infectious disease unit, said: “Studies have shown that Omicron might evade immune response and is highly transmissible, but its severity is still not clear.”
“People will have to follow Covid protocol for a long period or till the virus loses its strength. This will not only keep the Omicron threat at bay but also prevent further mutation of the virus,” he added.
Dr Rahul Gam, a consultant at the National Health Authority (NHA), said vaccination was the best way to tackle the pandemic. “Even if it doesn’t protect people from contracting Covid-19, it reduces the severity. Covid restrictions should continue and people should get themselves tested as soon as influenza-like symptoms develop,” he added.