While extending New Year greetings, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria advised people “not to panic, but to be vigilant” in light of the rising Omicron cases across the country.
In a video message posted by AIIMS, Delhi, Dr Guleria said, “Let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2022. As we move forward, it is important for us to understand that the pandemic is not over, yet we are in a better position.”
All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) director Randeep Guleria on Saturday warned against the third wave of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and said that it can strike the country in the next six to eight weeks, news agency PTI reported. Stressing on the need to follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, Guleria said that until a sizable number of the population are vaccinated people should strictly adhere to face masks and social distancing norms.
“If Covid-appropriate behaviour is not followed, the third wave can happen in six to eight weeks. We need to work aggressively to prevent another large wave till vaccination kicks in,” the news agency quoted the senior doctor as saying.
Speaking on lockdown measures as a way to control the outbreak, Guleria said it cannot be the solution keeping in view the devastating impact on the economy. On preventive measures, he suggested an aggressive surveillance strategy in Covid hotspots and lockdowns in case of any significant surge.
Referring to the multiple reports claiming that the next wave will put children in the vulnerable category, Guleria reiterated that till now, there is no evidence to suggest that.
Earlier, India’s epidemiologists indicated that the third wave of Covid-19 is inevitable and is likely to start from September-October.
As the rumours of the transmission of Covid-19 form animals to humans get momentum amid the second wave, top doctors and experts of the country have debunked the myth, stating that there is no data that shows the virus spread form animals to humans.
Many activists and pet welfare animal organizations raised concern over people leaving their pets on the streets due to fear of COVID transmission. Meanwhile, the top doctors and veterinarians negate the rumours.
Leading pet specialist Dr Sandeep Singh said, “Pets do not spread COVID infection to humans. People should avoid these rumours. There us no need to leave dogs and cats on the streets. I received many calls from people asking if COVID can spread form pets. I apprised them that these are only rumours. So far no institution has said that there is a risk of spreading COVID infection from pets.”
Dr Ishwar Gilada also urged people to avoid the false narratives and not abandon their pets. Gilada explained that it is not a zootonic disease and can only be spread from humans to humans.
AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria told ANI, “There is no data that shows the virus spread from animals to humans. We only have data showing that the virus spread from humans to animals as seen in a zoo in New York during the first wave.”
Doctor Randeep Guleria, Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta, Dr. Navneet Wig, Head of Department of Medicines, AIIMS and Dr Sunil Kumar, Director General Health Services today addressed concerns and issues related to COVID19.
DrRandeepGuleria, while speaking on the shortage of oxygen and medicines said, “Hoarding of injections like remdesivir and oxygen in homes is creating a panic and this hoarding is causing a shortage of these medicines. COVID19 is mild infection and 85-90% people will only suffer from cold, fever, sore throat and bodyache. Only symptomatic treatment at home is enough to ride through these infections and there is no need for oxygen or remdesivir.” He added that 10-15% percent of patients with severe infections may need oxygen, remdesivir or plasma etc while less than 5% patients need ventilators or intensive care.
Furthermore, Dr Guleria clarified that remdesivir neither reduces the hospital stay nor saves lives. In moderate to severe cases, it may be able to reduce hospital stay but if administered in mild cases it can complicate matters. Remdesivir is no magic bullet and it is used in hospitals for moderate to severe cases.
On administration of oxygen to non-needy, Dr Guleria said that people who have oxygen saturation above 94 do not need oxygen as increase in oxygen saturation beyond this level would not increase oxygen in blood. However, this can cause shortage in supply of oxygen and will reduce access to oxygen for serious cases.
Dr Naresh Trehan while speaking on the steps to be taken immediately after a positive RT-PCR test, said that people should first contact local or family doctors. All the doctors are aware of the protocol to be followed and can recommend courses of medication for patients who should isolate themselves at home. Dr Trehan also advised yoga and pranayam which are helpful in maintaining lung health and added that Pronation is also helpful. Dr. Trehan reiterated the importance of double masking, distancing and hand hygiene and said the mask should seal the air passage around the nose and mouth for proper protection. He also recommended staying away from crowded places.
Speaking on oxygen demand, Dr Trehan said the demand for medical oxygen has suddenly risen in the current crisis and manufacturing facilities are stretched for supplies. Our industries however have the capacity but lack cryo-transportation. Government is actively working on this and the situation will be under control in the next five to seven days.
Dr Sunil Kumar addressed the topic of preparations of the Government to mitigate the situation and said that from no preparedness last year when Covid arrived, the Government ramped up capacity to a unique level very soon. Over 2500 laboratories were created where only one existed before the pandemic. We increased our testing capability to lakhs of tests per day, ramped up tracking and contact tracing and manufacturing of PPE kits et al. Reiterating the importance of getting vaccinated, Dr Sunil said there are negligible side effects of the vaccines and that vaccines and COVID-appropriate behaviour together can break the chain of transmission.
Dr Navneet said that we need to save our healthcare workers who will in-turn save our patients. To save our healthcare workers we need to break the chain and reduce the number of infections. To break the chain is a responsibility of all sections of society but foremost it is the responsibility of the people to undertake COVID-appropriate behaviour.
The top experts has highlighted on line of treatment for Covid-19 patients
AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria:
Dr Naresh Trehan on COVID19:
Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health:
In the wake pf explosive spread of Covid-19 during the second wave, the Union Health Minister Dr. Harshvardhan visited AIIMS to review the facilities available at AIIMS Trauma Centre , the facilities available including the oxygen supply in the trauma centre of AIIMS for the Covid patients. In the review meeting AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria and other doctors from AIIMS was also present.
“Covid – appropriate behavior implementation is the biggest challenge before us. People have become casual during second wave. We are doing everything to speed up vaccination and bring more vaccine in to the country. We have already given ventilators to the states and they are not demanding more because they are not able to use the current ones because of lack of space. In the last week we took many decisions to strengthen the supply of oxygen on the same dynamic pattern as we did last year,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.
“Our biggest fight this time is to teach COVID appropriate behaviour to the people. People have adopted a casual approach which is very dangerous. COVID Appropriate behaviour is the biggest social tool we have to break the chain.”In order to encourage the public from following CAB in the quest for a COVID free environment, he put out statistics that demonstrate the diligence of the general public along with the hard-work of healthcare and frontline workers: “India has 52 districts with no fresh cases in 7 days, 34 districts with no fresh cases in 14 days, 4 districts with no fresh cases in 21 days and 44 districts with no fresh cases in 28 days.” Says the statement
On Remdesivir he said , “He also detailed steps taken by the Union government to stop black marketing of drugs like Remdesivir and Itolizumab”.