Ahead of GHMC polls, health experts warn of Corona case surge during winter
Hyderabad: Public health specialists and medical experts say that holding elections in winter could only aggravate the spread of SARS-CoV-2, leading to a surge in cases of Covid 19.
The GHMC has continuously recorded more than 500 cases in July and August. It has seen only a dip in October and November.
Elections will lead to large gathering of people for campaigning, government officials sitting in enclosed places in polling booths and counting stations. It will also increase the frequency of movement of people, thereby aggravating the risk of spread of the virus.
Conducting elections in winter also raises the risk of spread of other influenza viruses which are active during this season.
Dr Santosh Kraleti, public health specialist, told this newspaper, “During winter, we see an increase in cases of respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other ailments. During the Covid-19 pandemic, extra care has to be taken to ensure that one is not immune-compromised. The act of gathering of people and increasing movement will aid in faster spread of the virus and increase in cases.”
The GHMC area has for the last two months seen fewer cases as protocols were followed and movements were restricted. But with an increase in activity in these areas experts state that by mid-December there is bound to be a rise in cases.
Dr Prabhu Kumar C., senior consultant and diabetologist, said, “Small gatherings are becoming a source for spreading of infections. In the last few days we are finding people testing positive after they met at small gatherings. Hence, during a pandemic, any activity which leads to more human interaction must be avoided.”
SARS-CoV-2 is an airborne disease and those who are immune-compromised may get infected. Once the elections are over, the burden will fall on the healthcare systems and the question is, is it capable of taking a huge load, he said.
“nd the administration is facing New Delhi is seeing the third wave of cases, achallenges in admission of severe and critical cases in hospitals. These facts must be kept in mind before opting for activities which result in movemet of people,” Dr Kumar said.
The fact that Covid-19 has only two per cent mortality in India and most parients recover is encouraging people to venture out. The economic considerations of earning a living are understood but elections are not for necessary for survival, opined a public health specialist on condition of anonymity.
“They can be held at a later date. People are yet to recover and they are slowly venturing out on a trial and error basis. Those who have no other means of earning have to move out and they have developed antibodies. But those who are immune compromised and sentimentally attached to political parties will move out increasing their risks,” he said.
