After having a fierce battle with the covid-19 virus for almost 2 years, many parts of the world have returned to a state of normalcy in recent times, and 2022 appeared to be a hopeful year. But the news coming from Europe and China raises doubts about that hope prevailing for the rest of 2022.
What’s happening in Europe?
France had lifted many restrictions in the country, related to covid but in this week, 18,853 new cases were reported there on Monday (March 14th) alone.
Germany had 1570 cases per million of the population but on March 12th, it spiked to 2330 cases per million. The Netherlands had 1956 cases per million of its population last week but turned into 3955 cases per million on March 12th. Countries like Switzerland, UK, Italy are also seeing a sudden spike in their daily covid cases.
Take Ukraine. While we talk about oil prices going a mile high, equal importance must be placed on the country’s battle with the pandemic. Reports from sources state that many are living in crowded shelters.
“Ukraine has a relatively low Covid vaccination rate, barely one-third of the population, and millions of people fleeing their homes have crowded into evacuation trains, resettlement centers, temporary housing and underground shelters — conditions ripe for a new surge of infections,” The New York Times reported.
What’s happening in China?
The National Health Commission of China reported 5,280 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, more than double the previous day’s tally and the highest daily count since the start of the pandemic, according to a report by France24.
Jilin province in the Northeast part of China has the highest cases (3000+) according to the Commission. Different parts of China have entered lockdown mode. Shenzhen province which has a population of 17 million has gone under lockdown, and Changchun city, which is China’s largest automobile manufacturing city also has been locked down. Schools, restaurants and malls have been shut and local testing has been increased in the country.
What’s the cause?
A swiftly transmissible covid variant called ‘Stealth Omicron’ (BA.2 variant of Omicron) is reported to be behind the cause of this sudden rise in many parts of the globe. It is dominant in Denmark, found more in Philippines and India. It is swifter than the previous Omicron versions. The governments are monitoring this variant and its sub-types’ effect.
How is India now?
Daily cases are dropping day by day, and as of now, there is no spike in the country. National daily cases drop below 3000 (only 2,568 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours)
As the third wave in India was not that serious compared with the previous waves, and with more than 80 crore people fully vaccinated, the fear of the pandemic has reduced here.
“The characteristics of BA.2 and BA2.2 look similar and since BA.2 has already been the dominant strain in the country, I do not see a reason why India should worry,” said Anurag Agarwal, director of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Indian Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in Delhi.
More than 5 crore people teens in the country between 15 and 17 have been vaccinated with at least one dose, and the country is going to start vaccinating teens between 12 and 14 years from March 16th.
Also the precautionary vaccine dose (Boosters) is now made open to anyone aged 60 and above. So this can also give some support to India, to continue its battle firmly with the pandemic.
What would be the major problem?
Public behaviour would be the real troublemaker this time and not the pandemic. A lesser number of people wearing masks, sanitizing hands and the larger number of public gatherings flouting norms might create unexpected trouble.
“After the deadly wave of Covid caused by the Delta variant in India last year began to recede, mask-wearing also declined. Crowded markets and tourist destinations are again filled with people, mostly un-masked and not social distancing. Researchers say mask-wearing in public in the country has fallen to the levels last seen in March (2021)”, Sameer Yasir of The New York Times wrote on Jan 2022.
For 2022 to continue as a peaceful year, India and the rest of the world need to resume following certain norms along with a few relaxations.
Article by: David Karunakaran.S