KASHMIR LIFE (KL): How is the second Covid-19 wave different from the first one?
SYED MUDASIR QADRI (SMQ): The second wave of Covid19 is different in many ways. Firstly, this time the virus has become more infectious. We are seeing whole families getting infected at the same time or in a few days.
Secondly, this time we are seeing lung involvement in a larger proportion of patients testing positive suggesting that the present strain is more virulent.
Thirdly, there is a shift in the age group of the people infected by the virus. This is causing increased morbidity (illness) and mortality (deaths). Last year it mainly troubled the elderly but this time the major brunt is being borne by the middle-aged and younger population.
The scenes at the hospitals are well known to most people through mainstream and social media. The patient load has tremendously increased leading to pressure on the hospital bed availability. To cater to the increasing rush of Covid19 patients, most of the beds in the major hospitals have been converted into Covid beds. The majority of these admitted patients require high flow oxygen support (15-60 LPM). This has put a lot of pressure on healthcare workers especially doctors and paramedics.
KL: Is it the same old virus or now different strains are around?
SMQ: The mutant strains that we have in the second wave seem to have evolved themselves to become more virulent and infect the younger population as well. This time the infectivity rate is much higher and the incubation period seems to have shortened. Now families test positive together. This is unlike last year when incubation periods varied and in certain cases, it took two weeks.
This story is from the May 30, 2021 edition of Kashmir Life.
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This story is from the May 30, 2021 edition of Kashmir Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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