Covid resilience must have continued priority

Reports of incidence of Covid cases across the country have caused concern, though the number of cases is not large and the infections appear to be mild. Over 1,000 cases have been reported over the fortnight, mainly from Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi. Karnataka has reported 100 active cases. Deaths of Covid-positive patients have been reported but the causes of the deaths have not been attributed to the infection. The Karnataka government has directed officials to stock testing kits and hospitals have been told to check patients with cardiac or breathing-related conditions. Guidelines and instructions on precautionary measures have been issued to hospitals and schools. Other states have also adopted similar measures to track the prevalence and ensure that the safeguards to prevent the spread are in place.

Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand have seen a surge in cases in recent weeks and the strains responsible have been traced back to the JN.1 variant which was first detected in August 2023. It is a mutant of Omicron and is a highly transmissible but mild variant. The Covid sub-variants detected in India trace their origins to JN.1. There may be many reasons for the resurgence of the infection. The vaccine-induced immunity and the herd immunity may have waned among some people. The non-administration of booster doses may have had an effect. The virus has also mutated and created new variants and sub-variants on which the existing vaccines may have minimal effect.

In some countries, the governments have made arrangements to administer annual booster doses of the Covid vaccine, particularly to vulnerable sections of the population. This can be considered in India as well. Research on the virus, its spread in the community and the efficacy of vaccines should be a continuous process, and the vaccines need regular upgrades. There should be public awareness campaigns that focus on the elderly and people with health issues that make them vulnerable to infections. Preventive measures and practices such as wearing masks and washing hands help resist Covid and other infections and should be propagated. Covid may have become endemic and even if the virus is not very potent now, it can mutate and become dangerous.
The governments, the medical establishment and the public should remain vigilant. There is better preparedness at the global level with the signing of a treaty under the auspices of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for cooperation among nations in facing epidemics.