Mask up, don't delay your booster dose: Doctors

Covid raising its ugly head again, health experts raise concerns over irresponsible attitude of people

Tribune News Service

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, June 14

With Covid cases rising once again in the state, various health experts raised concerns over irresponsible attitude of people and their reluctance to get the booster dose. They said though no new variant of concern has been found here, adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour must continue in order to curb the spread of the infection in the community.

The situation in Punjab, so far, is much under control. There is no need to panic, but adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour is must. People should avoid going to crowded places and make masks and sanitiser an integral part of their lives. — Dr Paramjit Mann, Indian medical association (Punjab chapter) President
Increased mobility due to summer vacations in schools, full-fledged opening up of economic activities, no restrictions on travel — both nationally and internationally — and non-obeyance of social distancing and mask norms are the main reasons behind this recent surge. — Health experts
Aggressive testing need of the hour
The Indian Medical Association (Punjab Chapter) president said the governments in all states, as asked by the Health Ministry, must focus on aggressive testing so as not to miss out on any emerging variant. Besides, there is a need to ensure complete vaccination of all individuals, including precaution doses, he said.
Talking about Covid situation in Jalandhar, Dr Inderdeep Singh, a cancer specialist and surgical oncologist, said on Monday, the city recorded 16 fresh cases, which was slightly higher than those reported in the past few days. “As the cases have now started rising, people must start taking precautions to prevent the infection from spreading. They must wear masks and use sanitiser as it will not only save them from contracting Covid but also from other viruses,” he said.

They said on Monday, India reported 8,084 fresh Covid cases and 10 virus-related deaths, while in Punjab, 60 fresh infections were reported and one death was also reported in Mohali. “Increased mobility due to summer vacations in schools, full-fledged opening up of economic activities, no restrictions on travel — both nationally and internationally — and non-obeyance of social distancing and mask norms are the main reasons behind this recent surge,” they said.

Indian Medical Association (Punjab Chapter) president Dr Paramjit Mann said: “The situation in Punjab, so far, is much under control. There is no need to panic, but adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour is must. People should avoid going to crowded places and make masks and sanitiser an integral part of their lives,” he said.

He further said the governments in all states, as asked by the Health Ministry, must focus on aggressive testing so as not to miss out on any emerging variant. Besides, there is a need to ensure complete vaccination of all individuals, including precaution doses, he said.

When asked if the sudden spike in cases was a cause for concern, Dr Inderdeep Singh, a cancer specialist and surgical oncologist, said there was nothing to worry as no new variant had been found and the rise in cases was limited to a few districts.

Further, talking about Covid situation in Jalandhar, he said on Monday, the city recorded 16 fresh cases, which was slightly higher than those reported in the past few days. “As the cases have now started rising, people must start taking precautions to prevent the infection from spreading. They must wear masks and use sanitiser as it will not only save them from contracting Covid but also from other viruses,” he said.

“It seems people have learned no lesson from the Covid second wave, which wreaked havoc across the nation. Though the rise in cases, so far, is limited to certain districts, it is important to ensure proper efforts to check the infection from spreading and adopting Covid-appropriate behaviour,” said Kavita, a social worker.