Covid-19 2nd wave Forecast: Peak expected in coming two to three weeks: Experts

Srinagar: Experts on Wednesday said that the peak of the second wave of Covid-19 is yet to come in Jammu and Kashmir and it is expected to hit the region in coming two to three weeks.
Former director SKIMS, Chairman Covid Advisory Committee and renowned Gastroenterologist Dr Mohammed Sultan Khuroo while talking exclusively with—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that peak of second wave of Covid-19 is expected in next three weeks, till then cases of Covid-19 will surge further.
He said that the fight against COVID needs to be intensified and it shall take more efforts from the administration and public to control the surge given the pathogen which is more infectious and can evade and cause breakthrough infections.
“Travel discipline to J&K needs to be implemented and all travelers who board a plane or a train/bus to visit/travel J&K must have a prior RT-PCR negative certificate,” Khuroo said.
“The test needs to be repeated at the entry point, at least by a rapid antigen test. Those who are positive must be quarantined strictly to avoid the spread of infection,” he said.
Khuroo said that testing and tracing policy should be intensified and made more realistic.
“Rapid testing should be limited to specific circumstances and the RT-PCR facility must be made more available and quicker,” he said. “Vaccine hesitancy needs to be fought and the vaccination program must be strengthened. This shall reduce infections and further mutations.”.
Doctors Association President and flu expert Dr Nisar Ul Hassan while talking with KNO said that at that estimate the peak of the second wave is about to come in the next 15 days.
He said at least 3 percent patients tested positive for Covid-19 need hospitalisation and oxygen support.
“And if the cases continue to surge with the current speed our hospitals won’t be able to cope up and in order to break the chain there is need to continue restrictions for these three months,” Hassan said.
“There is need to remain further cautious and not to lower the guard even if cases start declining,” he said, adding that fresh waves can come anytime and could be more deadly as most of the population is yet to be vaccinated.
Hassan said that the virus is behaving differently and the only predictability about this virus is that it is unpredictable.
Renowned Pulmonologist Dr Khursheed while talking with KNO said that situation is very severe and beds at most of the leading hospitals including CD hospital are full, while peak of the wave is expected in next three weeks.
“The need of the hour is that people must impose self lockdown and don’t wait for government lockdown so that we can make the chain weak,” Dr Khursheed said.
Khursheed said that it is community transmission and there are hardly few households who are yet to contract the virus and people must keep their movement restricted to their lawns.
“People must remain extra cautious and anyone having symptoms must get tested and there is no need to rush to the hospital if anyone comes positive as around 85 positive patients need mild treatment and good hydration,” he said—(KNO)