Hyderabad, Dec 7 : India is better prepared to face the Omicron wave, if it comes, but people should always wear double face masks as these continue to be the best protection against any variant and take vaccines while regulatory authorities should authorise emergency use of two oral drugs for treatment of Covid-19, said a health systems expert.
Dr Krishna Reddy Nallamalla said while it has become clearly evident that Omicron is more infectious than Delta variant, the ongoing debate is by how much.Preprint research publication from South Africa has convincing evidence that it evades immunity acquired after natural infection.
“Everyone has kept their fingers crossed as to its virulence (ability to cause more serious illness, hospitalisations and deaths).Initial reports that cases are mild may be misleading.Covid illness usually worsens in the 2nd to 3rd weeks following the onset of infection.
This is because the immune system becomes hyperactive due to the multiplying virus.Second, a younger African population may be more resilient to the virus and not get severe illness.
We have to closely watch its behaviour in elderly and population with other comorbidities,” says Dr Reddy, President (South Asia), InOrder, a nonprofit institute working to strengthen systems to secure health
Most of the vaccines, in general, have demonstrated their effectiveness against new variants including Delta in preventing hospitalisations and deaths.Their effectiveness seems to be declining over time (6 to9 months after the second dose), which means booster doses are needed for those at high risk and all adults if there is sufficient vaccine supply.
It is not known if Omicron is immune to existing vaccines.The African population is still very low.A hint from Moderna’s CEO that they may need a new vaccine to combat Omicron is an indication that it may also evade vaccine immunity.”However, we have to await data on breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people,” said Dr Reddy who is also regional director (South Asia) of global health nonprofit, ACCESS Health International
The leading cardiologist pointed out that parents are the most worried as schools and colleges have just begun to open after nearly two years of studying from home.The government is waiting for expert committee recommendations on vaccines for children and booster doses for adults.”We were lucky that the older variants didn’t have an impact on children and young people like they did on the elderly.It is not yet clear if Omicron behaves the same or differently.It is best to keep your children at home and to follow Covid’s appropriate behavior until new evidence is available.
He believes that India has responded in a fair manner.The country did the right thing and didn’t close its borders.
Instead, it took standard measures to screen, test, quarantine, isolate and isolate incoming people.Because of the fear of the new wave, many people who were reluctant to get vaccinated have increased their willingness to do so.
Face masks and vaccination certificates have been reintroduced for domestic travellers who travel across state borders.
Hospitals across the country are better prepared now in terms of oxygen surplus capacity and ventilator beds.People and businesses have learnt to reinstate Covid appropriate behaviour at short notice.
“Regulatory bodies may fast track emergency use authorisation of two oral drugs (from Merck and Pfizer) that have demonstrated effectiveness against Covid virus.Many Indian pharma companies have been granted licenses to manufacture and distribute Molnupiravir from Merck.Pfizer may be in negotiations with many other companies to license its drug.
These drugs are expected be effective against Omicron variant and their site of action will not be affected by the many mutations over the spike protein.Monoclonal antibodies against spike antigens might be less effective due to the mutations.”
According to Dr Reddy, face masks continue to be the best protection against any variant.Public awareness campaigns must be repeated to emphasize the importance of proper use.These masks must be fitted correctly over the nostrils in order to prevent viruses from entering the body.Double masks (cloth masks that are covered with surgical masks) offer the best protection.
They are nearly as cost-effective as N95 masks, but may be more expensive.
Airlines might stop serving food or allowing passengers to eat on planes until the situation is clearer.
As people eat, they may be forced to take off their masks in order to reintroduce social distance.He suggested that social protection (free rations and direct benefit transfers, as well as unemployment benefits) should be extended until the situation stabilizes.
Governments should address growing inequity due to Covid, he added.
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