- It is proved beyond doubt that the medical and scientific community is yet to accurately determine how the SARS-COV-2 virus behaves despite the entire global inhabitants reeling under the impact of the debacle for some time now. No sooner the people started relaxing, the virulent virus strikes back with more vengeance in the form of deadlier variants and strains further exacerbating the sufferings. Vaccination invention is a definite boon that is succeeding installing the infection from becoming severe and thereby, reducing the fatality rates as well. However, concerns regarding the vaccine acceptance amongst the eligible are still high notwithstanding concerted efforts to allay unfounded fears and apprehensions.
PC: Mike Cadogan
- One of the most accepted modes of assessing how exactly the virus has penetrated the population-wide and far as also gauge antibody prevalence is by undertaking serosurveys enabling the authorities to strategize moves to combat the menace scientifically. Against this backdrop, the fourth national serosurvey indicating that two-thirds of the country could have developed antibodies against Covid should be treated carefully and cautiously. As the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) chief indicated, nearly 40 crore Indians are still to contract the infection spells trouble as well as indicates further exercising of Covid-appropriate-behavior still vaccination drive reaches out to intended beneficiaries. A big no to complacency for sure.
- The serosurveys are not the panacea for matters related to Covid as an infamous experience of what transpired in Delhi following the survey which recorded 50% seroprevalence in January was followed by a devastating wave in April which simply flattened the administration with its ferocity. Thus, 68% seroprevalence in the fourth round cannot be welcomed as gospel findings by shrugging-off safety and health protocols as also vaccination which alone would help improve immunity levels. Speaking of vaccination, the Union Government had claimed to inoculate 1 crore jabs daily in August, which is just a few days away. Most worryingly, the average daily vaccination is not even touching 50 lakhs presently. Visibly way off the mark in reaching the target.
PC: Allen Smith
- Also, the sampled 400 persons in only 70 districts across 21 states do not indicate comprehensive capturing of granular phenomena in a vast country like ours. The ICMR chief has also expressly warned against state governments and districts conveniently extrapolating this data to suit their purposes in gaining brownie points. Ideally speaking, all states should conduct their own extensive serosurveys alongside greater targeted testing and surveillance of severe acute respiratory illness to gather further information on a potential third wave. Holistically preparing to face the anticipated third Covid wave challenges based on the feedback would be par for the course move.
- A worrying number of confirmed infection rates indicated from several districts of Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Northeast shows high test positivity rates bucking the national trend. Kerala’s high infection rates are a matter of great concern though the state is under lockdown for almost three months. Keralites are restless demanding relaxing of strict restrictions which were duly accepted for Eid irking the Supreme Court and medical fraternity. Social gatherings are super-spreader events and hence, should be discouraged firmly. Festivals, revelry, and casual congregations can wait for some more months. More thrust on vaccination, please.
