As the starting of New Year’s celebrations are on the way, the sudden increase of COVID cases is giving a horrific flashback of last year. Will 2024 be the same?
Now once again, Corona has started spreading its foot across the whole world, including China and Japan. So far, four cases of Omicron’s sub-variant BF.7 (BF7 Omicron Variants) have been reported in India. The central and state governments have become very alert about this.
On December 21, Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya held a meeting with health officials and experts. During this time, he issued several guidelines regarding the prevention of Corona. Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting regarding Corona and reviewed the situation and related aspects of to Covid-19 in the country in a high-level meeting in the afternoon.
When COVID started, the symptoms that were reported included loss of taste and smell, shortness of breath, etc., and were considered to be the biggest symptoms of the virus. Over time, as new variants emerged, the symptoms associated with the virus also changed a lot. Now most people complain of symptoms like a persistent cough, sore throat, and fever rather than loss of smell, taste, or breath.
State alerts by ministers
The stir regarding Corona has intensified in all the states, apart from Delhi and Maharashtra, UP CM Yogi Adityanath has called a meeting with Team-9 regarding Corona. Jharkhand’s minister said that the government is completely serious, the state is on alert. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said that we have issued all instructions to deal with Kovid. At the same time, the Chandigarh administration has ordered the Covid test for the patients coming for precautionary treatment and surgery.
DELHI: Along with this, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also called an emergency meeting. In this meeting, every step to be taken regarding Corona will be discussed in detail. UP CM Yogi Adityanath is also going to have a meeting with Team 9 regarding Corona today. At the same time, thermal testing is being done for all the passengers coming from abroad in Maharashtra.
KERALA : Kerala Health Minister Veena George has issued an alert regarding Kovid-19 in the state. At present there is nothing to worry about. We appeal to the public to be vigilant. We have done 100% vaccination in the state.
Uttar Pradesh :Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath today held a meeting with Team-9 officials regarding Corona. He asked the officers to create awareness about the use of masks in crowds and public places. During this, instructions were given to do genome sequencing of every positive case. Along with this, it has been asked to increase corona testing.
UTTARAKHAND : Uttarakhand has also become alert about the new variant of Corona virus. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a high-level meeting with the officials of the Health Department regarding the prevention of Kovid-19. Earlier, Director General of Health Dr. Shailja Bhatt had also instructed all districts to send 10 percent samples of corona infected for genome sequencing.
KARNATAKA : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai held a review meeting with State Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar regarding the status of COVID-19 in the state.
WEST BENGAL : Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee has told that we had also held a meeting regarding Corona. A committee has also been constituted for this which is constantly monitoring. There is no panic situation in Bengal right now, but we are monitoring. During this, he has also appealed to the people to be alert. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee also said that the Gangasagar fair is organized every year, last year also the fair was organized keeping Corona in mind, this time also it will be organized keeping Corona in mind.
Some Re-implanting of COVID 19 protocols
- In view of the increasing cases of corona, it may be made mandatory to wear masks again in public places. Especially for those who have symptoms of corona. For example, it will be mandatory for people to wear masks in case of cough, cold or any kind of viral.
- After the decreasing case of Corona, people had also stopped following the rules of social distancing. Now once again it can be strictly implemented.
- The process of random corona testing can start at all major airports including Delhi, Mumbai. Especially the focus will be on the investigation of those people who are returning from Corona affected countries. Such people will be screened and if infection is found in them, genome sequencing will be done and other protocols of Covid will be followed. Similarly, preparations are on to start random testing at railway stations and bus stands as well.
- So far, more than 23 crore people have been given booster dose of corona vaccine. Now the government is focusing on increasing its number rapidly. Arrangements will be made so that maximum number of people can get booster dose.
- To prevent the cases of corona from increasing in India, the government has decided to focus on the formula of testing, tracing and treatment. According to this, more and more people will be tested and if someone is found corona infected, then most of the people coming in contact with him will be tested. Along with this, timely treatment of corona patients will be done.
- It may be advised that people avoid crowded areas and take all required precautions, such as putting themselves in a quarantine for seven days
- The Union Ministry of Health, in collaboration with several expert committees, is monitoring the COVID-19 trajectory both globally and in the country. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked States/UTs to focus on a five-pronged approach of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination Against COVID-19 and Adherence to COVID Appropriate Behavior, and has advised all States/UTs to be ready for any increase in COVID-19 trajectory.
How will the celebrations impact
As the celebration for Christmas and the New Year is on the way, it might happen that all the celebrations will be conducted by maintaining COVID protocols. Throughout the country, celebrations for the new year will happen while maintaining social distance, wearing masks, and with a limited number of people gathering. People are thus advised to maintain necessary restrictions like sanitizing, washing hands, and wearing masks, especially those with low immunity and multimorbidity.
Is 2024 a fresh start with pandemic again ?
Pandemic has always led a horrific impact around people and throughout the country. From 1889’s flu to 1994’s plague to 2021’s COVID, the pandemic situation has never been something transient. Research says any country’s pandemic afteraffect can last upto more than 10 years. As there are only few days left for the start of new year, the scenario of the world is giving us a glipmse of horrific situation of 2021.
The rising of cases in China,Japan and the onset of upcoming abundant new varients is taking us to the memory lane of Quarantine and lockdown period.There are chances that 2024 might start again with all the safety equipment like masks and hand sanitizer. These defenders might be there with us in the upcoming year too.
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