Srinagar: Already a year and half into the COVID pandemic, the world still lacks an effective remedy against this viral infection, and as on date precautions and vaccination are the only line of defence against the pandemic.
These ideas were expressed by Dr Rakesh Kumar Koul, Professor of Medicine at SMHS Hospital Srinagar.
Dr Koul also said that humanity has been struggling with Covid pandemic for one-and– half year now and all efforts are being made to bring life back on track and overcome the challenges posed by the virus, particularly in the wake of second wave of infections and the surge in positive cases.
As virus has eclipsed health sector in both developed and developing countries, many countries have gone back to the basic planning and strategizing as how to undertake manufacturing of vaccines on a mass scale, he said.
Dr Koul emphasized on following the precautions and Covid-appropriate behavior for remaining safe from the deadly infection.
He also called for getting vaccinated to increase defence mechanism of body against the virus.
However, he said that the effective anti-Coronavirus therapy is not available yet, so people should take Covid protocols seriously, which includes wearing of masks, maintaining physical distance and disinfecting contaminated hands frequently.
He said the common symptoms of the infection are cold, cough, sore throat, loss of smell and taste, loose motions, body aches, chest pain and breathlessness and advised that people must consult doctors as soon as these symptoms are noticed by an individual.
He also suggested for continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation of family members at home, which according to him should not recede below 92 percent. In case of decrease in oxygen saturation below 92 percent, the person should be admitted in a hospital.
Dr Koul stressed on maintaining physical distance though and said that physical distance and pandemic has created mental stress among people which according to him can be overcome through virtual interaction and communication with friends, family and other colleagues.
While advising people to stay indoors and avoid venturing out aimlessly, Dr Koul asked the people to keep perseverance and patience till the worst spell of Covid is over.
He said everybody should get tested for Covid by RAT or RTPCR test to clear any confusion regarding symptoms. Covid test will clarify presence of infection in an individual, he said.
