Covid may be back ... but there is no need to panic

There is evidence from many parts of the world that COVID is probably rising its ugly head again. If we ever thought it had gone away forever, it is, of course, only wishful thinking. Different strains with somewhat different presentations have been reported from several countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO), in February this year, warned the world that the disease is resurgent in many areas of the world.

- BY DR B. J. C. PERERA

Perhaps it has undergone some genetic change and come out in a different format, shrouded in a different skin, so to speak. This article is not written to look at the variegated scientific medical aspects of the problem, but to provide down-to-earth information on how to respond adequately to the current situation and possible future developments. It is certainly not written as a proclamation by a Prophet of Doom but as a doctor with wide experience.

The likely emerging situation should ring some alarm bells and initiate the necessary processes and activities to allow us to be prepared; perhaps quite a bit better than the last time when the dastardly bug hit us with all its guns firing. As for the local scenario, a Paediatrician colleague of mine, whose contribution has been acknowledged at the end of this article, had some interesting and thoughtful speculations. He believes that there is a distinct possibility that there might be quite a bit of COVID infections in Sri Lanka at present. He suggests that in at least the Western Province, where dengue, influenza and chikungunya are reasonably common, when patients with fever are tested negative for these viral infections, we have to seriously consider COVID infections. He further elucidates that a presumed viral fever that does not show a 'settling trend' by three to four days may well be due to COVID. He suggests that around five to 15 percent of suspected viral fevers that do not test positive for dengue, influenza and chikungunya when tested within the sensitive window, but who still have significant respiratory symptoms, even if they are mild, may be due to COVID. He further suggests that this percentage may be growing slowly and imperceptibly. We need to take all these considerations very seriously if we are to arm ourselves with the necessary ways and means of dealing with a possible tricky situation.