Jammu: Underlining the urgency of mass Covid vaccinations, experts say that there is no alternative to Covid-appropriate behaviour and vaccination in the fight against corona.
“Covid pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to humanity. No matter how well prepared we be to face a natural calamity or a pandemic, we can never entirely come unfazed,” says Dr Kailash Singh, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Government Medical College Jammu.
The doctor requested the public to get vaccinated according to age group and available slots.
“Studies have shown that 93 percent of the Covid fatalities were of those who were not vaccinated, while the rest were those who had taken only one dose,” he informed and said, “There is no alternative to Covid-appropriate behaviour and getting vaccinated”.
He said the health system and the government machinery are working at the fullest and putting the best possible fight. “We are making the best possible use of available resources.”
He also said that the second wave of Covid is due to “our collective failure as a society”.
“We made mistakes during the ‘unlock’ period. We gave skipped the precautions and allowed mixing of populations. Lab tests have discovered a large number of mutant strains in the population of J&K and it is a cause of serious concern,” he said.
“Earlier it was observed that the virus mostly infects the older population, but now its mutants have started indiscriminately affecting all age groups,” he added.
He requested the public to religiously wear face masks, repeatedly wash/sanitise hands and avoid gathering in groups. “It is only through our collective efforts can we beat the virus,” he said.
He also requested persons with comorbidities, like abnormal blood pressure and diabetes, and cancer patients to take extra care.
The doctor urged the public to eat nutritious food, adopt Covid-appropriate behaviour and keep a strong will. “With the three together, we can definitely pass through this grim situation very soon,” he hoped.
He also advised the public to not panic and said, “I hope the worst phase has passed and we are on path to recovery. Please make use of helpline numbers and telemedicine facilities for your health related issues and queries”.
All Covid-related queries and doubts can be cleared on the helpline number 0191-2571616. Public can also call Divisional Control Room at 0191-2520982, 2549676, 2674444, 2674115, 2674908. Moreover, J&K government has started a live phone-in health programme on ‘Gulistan’ channel which is aired twice daily — from 8:30 am to 9 am and 8:30 pm to 9 pm. Eminent doctors respond to public queries during the programme.
Anybody from the public can call on the above-mentioned Divisional Control Room phone numbers and seek information related to Covid treatment, home isolation and other non-Covid health problem.
