Tutoring online
Researchers and geneticists believe that if the present projections of the spread of the Omicron virus hold up, then in the coming years, the SARS-CoV-2 virus could become an endemic disease just like flu and common cold.
When viruses become highly transmissible but at the same time less severe, then many epidemiologists and researchers believe it's heading from an epidemic stage to an endemic stage. In case of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, there are clear indications that the virus is more transmissible than the Delta variant and at the same time, early data has indicated that it is less severe, which are ideal conditions for any virus to transform from an epidemic to endemic stage.
So, does the advent of Omicron variant a clear indication of the Covid-19 becoming endemic in India?
"Because Omicron variant is highly transmissible and initial reports have indicated that it is less severe than Delta, there could be a possibility that eventually, the impact of the virus becomes less and even less over a period of time", says a former Director.
Eventually, this is the ideal road or a path for any virus to become endemic or even a seasonal disease, he points out. "If the current projections hold, then Omicron could be on the road to become an endemic disease and every year people might have to deal with it just like cough and cold. At least this is what the hope is. Still, these are very initial stages and we need to wait for more data", says another doctor. However, he pointed out that because of its high transmissibility, people must be very cautious.
"People must realise that there is no need to panic. Based on the early data, the burden on healthcare
facilities should be less, when compared to the second wave. I anticipate even less dependency on medical oxygen and ICU support when compared to the second wave", Dr Mohan Rao said.
Acknowledging that vaccine evasion and reinfections by the Omicron variant could pose a challenge, he added, "There were many instances of reinfections and breakthrough infections during the Delta variant. However, this time around, the breakthrough infections and reinfections seems to be a bit more than the second wave, which could be a matter of concern. However, at this point, we don't know the exact distribution of these breakthrough infections and exact data is not available".
Not new
A zoonotic disease with foreign origins eventually becoming an endemic is not new in Telangana. Swine flu, which was first reported in Hyderabad way back in 2009, eventually became seasonal influenza, as people in the community developed immunity.
What is endemic disease?
Endemic diseases are describe as an outbreak of diseases that are often limited to a particular region. For instance, diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya and seasonal influenza are endemic diseases in Telangana and across the country. Endemic diseases will have stable number of cases in a particular season with very rare instances of surges.
- M Sai Gopal
in Telangana Today.
My take
Opinions are veering around to this reasoning.
Tailpiece.
Got up at a half past 3, washed up and recited my prayers. Turned off to sleep. Got up at 7, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Work in the Foundation went on despite being a Sunday.
Pappi kunjamma, Sindhu, Reshmi and of course, Gopu had come by.
Visited the site and saw the commencement of the air conditioned hall, coming up!
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