COVID-19 Pandemic Could Explode Due To Crowding During Festive Season: AIIMS Doctor

New Delhi: A senior doctor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic could explode due to crowding during the festive season. “Idea of festivals is to share happiness, not COVID. For the next 1-2 years till the pandemic is not under control, we shouldn’t become part of the reason for causing the pandemic to explode again,” said Dr Neeraj Nischal, professor, Medicine Department, AIIMS to ANI. Dr Neeraj Nischal also said that ripples of the second wave can still be seen in various parts of the country.

Also Read: Those Who Get Jabbed Become ‘Baahubali’; Over 40 Crore People Vaccinated Against COVID: PM Modi

It’s important for people to understand the wave hasn’t completely disappeared. Ripples can still be seen and if we are not careful then these ripples may actually get converted into an actual wave.

Further, he explained, “Whenever you get a chance to get vaccinated, then get vaccinated. So this current situation is very important. The next wave, whether it’s going to come or not that is entirely in our hands. Some people think that COVID-19 has gone which isn’t the case.”

Dr Nischal also warned,

No preparation can be hundred percent when this COVID pandemic happens. So it’s important that we protect ourselves.

Also Read: Low Vaccination, High R-Rate, Is India Inching Towards The Third Wave? Experts Speak

Meanwhile, with an increased recovery rate of 97.32 per cent, India witnessed 38,660 recoveries from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, taking the recovery tally to 3,03,08,456. As many as 38,164 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry on Monday. The active cases further declined to 4,21,665, while it constitutes 1.35 per cent of total cases. The daily positivity rate remained been below 3 per cent for 28 consecutive days and stood at 2.61 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate remained below 5 per cent and stood at 2.08 per cent.

Also Read: Delta Variant Continues To Dominate COVID-19 Cases In 111 Countries, We Are In Early Stages Of Third Wave: WHO

The Centre on Friday (July 16) noted that the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recent warning about “early stages” of a third COVID wave is a red flag and can’t be taken for granted. Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog in a Health Ministry press conference said, “The situation in most of the regions has turned from bad to worse. Overall, the world is moving towards a third wave. (WHO’s) Warning over a third wave can’t be taken for granted, it is a red flag…”

Also Read: Crowds Without Masks In Hill Stations, A Matter Of Concern: PM Modi At COVID-19 Review Meet

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.