Is it the Second wave?

Posted On: 2021-02-27 05:45

2020 was the year when we all came to realize the payback of our unhealthy habits. There were pauses, isolations and stillness to the busy, unstoppable always running world. Covid-19 was declared as a pandemic in March 2020 which was then followed by a strict lockdown causing panic everywhere in the world. Initially, India had very few cases, but as time went by, India crossed the other countries, with a high number of cases. With a population of 1.3 billion, the number of covid cases stood at the second position in the world and the cases went on increasing. A year after covid was declared as a pandemic, India had successfully reduced the number of cases per day and life started getting back to near normal situation. Once again all the shops, parks, restaurants and offices reopened.  Cabs, Buses, trains and flight services resumed. India was partially reopening up for the people. With the help of  Crowdfunding, the underprivileged who lost their jobs and exhausted their savings were able to get support in reviving their lives. Online crowdfunding played a major role in raising funds.

People had experienced panic, stress and the terror of the unknown but now they were aware of what is COVID, how to take preventive measures, what were the symptoms, the incubation period and everything related to “What is Covid” is now known to the public through the various media. But exactly after a year since COVID, new variants are being discovered. These new strains have spiked the Covid cases all over India yet again, especially in Maharashtra and Kerala, due to which these states might go into a second strict lockdown to prevent further spreading of these new strains.  Multiple online campaigns were posted to help the victims who were shattered due to the calamities during covid and because of these campaigns, people were able to raise funds through crowdfunding platforms in India.

According to an examination of recent community cases observed in the UK and parts of Europe, COVID-19 victims diagnosed with the new variant tend to show 'less common' signs of infection, as compared to the common cold, loss of smell, loss of taste and flu signs that we know of the previous strain. Researchers and doctors recommend that the emerging evidence about the new strain is the need of the hour for the public to be informed of, and get tested as soon as they suspect something, or have been exposed to the virus. It is still the same virus but with modifications and this modification can make it a new virus that we are not completely aware of. We are still learning about it while we are trying to cope with it. At the same time, there's still a lot that remains unknown about its efficacy and spread. Researchers have proven that the Kent mutation of the virus, considered to be the deadliest yet, is almost 70 times more infectious, and can spread much more easily. The mortality rate with the virus is yet unknown. 

One of the mutations, called E484K, was already seen in the South Africa variant. This mutation may reduce vaccine effectiveness as the vaccine was created on the basis of the original strain of the virus. There have been around 11 cases in Bristol and a bunch of 32 cases in Liverpool.

Emergency testing for the South Africa variant is already starting in parts of England and could be wheeled out to other areas seeing different variants with the same E484K mutation. Scientists working with Public Health England found a little number of cases of the UK 'Kent' variant with the E484K mutation. There is a possibility of many cases that haven't yet been found.

The novel coronavirus mostly showed respiratory infection in most people like flu-like signs, loss of taste, smell, fever and unusual, less-typically noticed signs as well. But this new strain shows symptoms like dizziness and fatigue, the feeling of a body drained and exhausted, muscle pains and aches, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, rashes and sore throat.

Even after taking a year to understand basic hygiene and taking precautions the cases are increasing.  The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday claims that two variants of the novel coronavirus have been discovered in at least three states in India as the country also witnesses an increase in the number of infections. As per the numbers, Maharashtra and Kerala have contributed over 50,000 cases or 75% of the total caseload in a day last week. Kerala is responsible for 37.85 per cent of cases, while Maharashtra for 36.87 per cent, as per the health minister. At least 5  new variants of coronavirus have been found in India so far. They involve the N440K variant, E484K variant, and variants from the UK, South Africa, Brazil. 

Precautions and protocols need to be followed to constrain the spread of the virus.  Maharashtra has the maximum number of cases in India. As Maharashtra battles with covid, 229 cases have emerged from a single hostel in a school in the Washim district. The hostel school has been listed as a containment zone after 225 students and four teachers tested positive. The school has over 300 students from the Vidarbha region, mostly from Amravati and Yavatmal, two districts that have added to a spike in virus cases in recent weeks. To understand how Crowdfunding plays an important role in Calamity relief, please click on the link.

With the increasing number in the covid cases, a second lockdown is predicted. These new strains are more dangerous and can cause more fatality. We need to take care of our well being and of those who are close to us. Taking precautions and maintaining hygiene is one of the most effective ways of securing yourself. With all these new cases around, BE SAFE.

Author : Lubdha Dhanopia