KATHMANDU: People are worried about the rising number of Coronavirus infection cases in the country.
A new variant of Covid-19 — PF1 of the highly infectious Omicron variant has also been identified in Nepal.
As a result, the risk of Coronavirus infection seems to be increasing in the country.
Experts say the situation can be even more serious than before. Senior public health expert Dr. Baburam Marasini in a conversation with Dhiraj Basnet talks about the new variant of Covid-10. Excerpts:
What does the increasing number of Covid-19 infection cases indicate? Is the fourth wave of Coronavirus about to start?
Unfortunately, it has already started. A couple of weeks ago, there were not even a dozen patients complaining of Coronavirus.
However, now up to 400 or more people are infected daily. The sudden increase of this small wave can be considered the beginning of the fourth wave.
This symptom has not been seen in 80 percent of people. Therefore, undergoing a Coronavirus test is important.
Is it like the first, second, or third wave, or even more dangerous?
The investigation has not drawn any conclusions at this time. This is Omicron’s 9B5 and B2-75 varieties.
This has spread to India. It is spreading in many countries as well.
According to the information received so far, this will not make people bedridden or get admitted to the hospital.
It will heal itself after a couple of days. Many people in Nepal have received double-dose vaccinations.
However, some may not have been vaccinated. Vaccinated people are safer. Even if you are not vaccinated, you need to get vaccinated as soon as possible to avoid risks.
Is the new variant of Coronavirus an indication that this would continue for another couple of years?
Covid-19 was first seen in China. In 2019, this SARS came in another form. After 5 or 6 months, SARS disappeared from the world.
And, in the east, MERS spread in 2011 as Coronavirus and reached European countries. It is still not over.
Therefore, it can only be assumed that it will last for a long time. Viruses that have passed from animals to humans go from an initial state to an aggressive and then a general attack. So it will not end immediately.
Will this be even more dangerous than the previous variant?
It’s still spreading. It infected the world for two and a half years. Until now, the World Health Organization has declared an international emergency. It has not been withdrawn yet. Until it returns, we are also in an emergency. Because we must understand that it is not over yet.
Is this similar to the common cold and cough?
Naturally, the situation is not the same now. Even if we look at other diseases, there has been a partial change now. However, it will change completely in the future.
How many times should we vaccinate against the same infection?
The fourth vaccine has also been administered in developed countries. After vaccination, the body’s immune system increases.
Since our country is between two big countries, diseases come to Nepal from there as well. Therefore, we have to protect ourselves from such diseases.
Is it that getting two vaccinations a year can avoid Coronavirus?
Even common cold seriously affects one in three hundred people. Therefore, the entire country should be cautious and take precautionary measures, including getting vaccinated.
Will vaccines save us from Coronavirus?
We can assume that vaccinated people are stronger than people who are not vaccinated.
We can learn from our community and research that vaccinated people have been able to overcome the Coronavirus infection.
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