Mumbai: New strain, drop in temp during monsoon will lead to surge in Covid-19 cases, say experts

A new strain of COVID19 BA2122 and a dip in the temperature with the arrival of the monsoon will lead to a surge in the novel Coronavirus infections A set of experts midday had spoken to earlier this year were the first to hint about the likely rise in cases by June With cases already rising over the past few weeks the experts have stressed the need for the public to follow COVIDappropriate behaviourThe new strain is a subvariant of OmicronDr Santosh Bansode HoD Emergency Medicine Wockhardt hospitalsldquoFor the foreseeable future the coronavirus SARSCoV2 will continue evolving into new variants that lead to fresh waves of surging COVID cases across the worldhellip Subvariants of Omicron coming from South Africa and the USEurope were predicted to cause a surge in cases in India by July 2022 The size of the wave will be determined by cold weather due to the rainy season This newspaper carried this story way back in February when many virologists and epidemiologists discarded the scientific predictions of wave 4 that was otherwise supported by IIT Kanpur groupsrdquo said Dr Subhash Hira professor of global health at University of WashingtonSeattle and advisor to WHOTDRGenevaCiting an earlier report in midday Dr Hira said he and other experts had recommended that high prevalence states of India during wave 3 should not dismantle their COVID barrier and treatment facilities till the world is finally done with the pandemicMask is missing as commuters wait for a BEST bus in Borivali on Sunday PicNimesh DavelsquoFew in hospitals reallyrsquoDr Wiqar Shaikh Professor of Medicine Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals said ldquoBe it plague cholera measles or influenza all have had multiple waves before they finally abated Why should COVID19 be an exceptionrdquo Dr Shaikh said he is shocked that people have been gloating over the fact that despite the uptick in cases there are hardly any hospitalizations and deaths He said that both hospitalizations and deaths will increase when Covid19 cases jump to several thousand a day Dr Shaikh said that when the 1st wave came to an end everyone thought that the pandemic was over ldquoPeople threw caution to the winds threw away their masks and mingled with huge crowds But India did get a 2nd wave the deadly Delta variant and the 3rd wave the Omicron variant Several countries such as South Africa USA European countries have already had a 5th waverdquoHe also rued the removal of the mask mandate He urged people to compulsorily wear masks and follow social distancinglsquoExercise cautionrsquoDr Ketan Vagholkar Professor of Surgery at DY Patil Medical College said the BA2122 strain is more contagious and likely to be associated with severe illness ldquo With the onset of monsoon on the anvil the temperatures will vary significantly This will predispose to respiratory infections However with newer variants of COVID emerging citizens are advised to exercise caution The usual flulike illness needs to be taken seriously Selfmedication is to be strictly avoided Citizens should seek medical advice immediately and receive medications under strict physician supervisionrdquo he saidlsquoNeed good screeningrsquoDr Santosh Bansode HoD Emergency Medicine Wockhardt hospitals said itrsquos concerning that the new variant is spreading fast in California ldquoSo we need good screening at our airports We donrsquot want any variant which spreads fast to enter our country We must encourage people to take booster doses of vaccines and wear masks when at crowded places or places where ventilation is not good Hand hygiene is also importantrdquo said the experts He added ldquoPeople should keep their nutrition well and should try to live life with less stress to keep their immunity good Rest how Covid will spread and how serious symptoms it will give only time will tellrdquo