Even after 951 deaths and over 1,07,469 Covid-19 cases in Jharkhand people of the State do not seem to be following life saving guidelines issued by authorities. A large number of people oblivious of the new wave of coronavirus infections are flocking markets, workplaces and several other crowded places without following social distancing and putting on facemasks.
At the time when several states in the country have witnessed sudden surge in the Covid-19 cases, renowned doctors and medical experts have warned of a sudden increase in the cases if people of the State continue violating Covid guidelines issued by the health department.
Former HOD, Medicine at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, Dr RK Jha said, “Next round has already come, north and north west Indian States, including Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and bordering areas of UP are witnessing a sudden surge in the cases. The PM is already talking to all CMs. During winters all home cases will multiply. So many festivals, marriages, will compound the cases.”
“Covid-19 is there and it will stay, not end, less increase, Europe and America are the worst hit, where cases have increased. Unlock was necessitated to boost the drowning economy, but no minimum caution is being taken. People need to understand and change their living practice. People keep windows open and most people have their nose exposed despite wearing their masks. No new wave, but cases will increase. During winters, the virus will circulate in the house,” Dr Jha said.
IMA State coordinator and former national IMA vice president Dr Ajay Kumar Singh said, “When the Covid era started and lockdown was imposed on March 27, there was more fear among people than the prevalence of the disease itself. Now, the ratio reversed with 10 per cent fear and 90 per cent disease. People have started using it as a Government
order, just like using a helmet and seat belt, which are for self protection, but masks are for protecting society too.”
“In today’s situation 60 per cent people use masks symbolically, where the nose is exposed. Due to the economy, finance, festivals, marriages and other get-togethers, vulnerability has increased. Only proper use of masks, three layers, without valves and social distancing can save people.
There should be a number cap on social gatherings and unnecessary moving should be stopped. Outside goods need to be washed, cleaned and then used. Don’t eat raw fruits. The Government can only alert people, it can enforce masks too. Government can challan people with the help of CCTV cameras just like they do while penalising traffic violators. Also, 60 plus people shouldn’t move out and marriages should be done with minimum people maintaining social distancing. I am not being infected, but I can spread the infection,” Dr Singh said.
He added that even cured patients need to take care because they have been affected. “We are not scaring people, but asking them to be careful. Next 90 days are very critical so everyone needs to be careful,” he added.
Chief Medical Officer, CGHS, Ranchi Dr SS Harsh said, “Though one year has already been passed since the first case of Covid-19 surfaced in the world, we still have no definite solutions or remedy despite of regular research and work of scholars and scientist across the globe.
At present only way to stay safe is to follow Government guidelines and maintaining
social distancing, wearing mask and follow proper handwash/sanitisation.”
“India is a land of cultures and many festivals and we are reluctant to follow the norms in a proper way, worsening the present scenario. I humbly request everyone to follow the Covid-19 guidelines to defeat corona,” added Dr Harsh.
Notably, when there are chances of a second wave of the pandemic in the State the number of Covid-19 tests has also gone down in the last few weeks. On Sunday, the government collected swab samples of only 8,014 people, which is a quarter of the number of samples collected every day in September. In the past fortnight, the government has tested around 10,000 swab samples every day on an average, which is not even half of the number of tests conducted every day in the month of October. Once the intensity of testing increases, the number of cases is likely to witness an unprecedented spike, fear health experts.