The third COVID-19 wave in India is on a receding plane now. But when will this pandemic end? Is Covid-19 entering an endemic stage in India? These are some of the questions that have startled scientists and people for a very long time now.
The first and second waves were fueled mostly by the Delta variant, the third one was dominated by the Omicron variant.
Since reaching its peak in January, February 15 recorded only a total of 27,409 new Covid-19 cases in India. It is noteworthy that the cases have remained below the 100,000 mark for the ninth consecutive day.
Several health experts suggest that the Covid-19 pandemic is showing signs of reaching an endemic stage in India.
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Unlike a pandemic, when a virus or a pathogen simultaneously hits a large geographical area and population and triggers an unpredictable wave of illness,
Covid-19 Endemic stage in India
In case of disease (Covid-19) entering an endemic stage, it occurs regularly in a much smaller area in an established pattern, India. Country’s many scientists propose that enough people in India have now gained protection from vaccination and from natural infection also.
It means that there will be less transmission and fewer COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths. However, the virus still continues to circulate in the region.
So, the country can now focus on control measures that will revolve around the vulnerable, elderly and immune-compromised.
During the endemic phase, in India’s case here, those who are unvaccinated and immune-compromised may continue to get infected, sick, hospitalized or even die. But COVID-19 is likely to cease as a major public health challenge.
What should we do in Covid-19 Endemic Stage?
Maintaining COVID-appropriate behaviour remains of utmost importance. Masking, social distancing, ventilation in closed spaces would remain crucial.
Since COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease, the best approach for public at large during endemic stage in India will be to prevent getting infected.
When it comes to the government, it should ensure that primary health services are able to respond adequately. Therefore, the government needs to invest in diagnostics and health infrastructure capacity at the sub-district levels.
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