Public health expert warns of further risk of COVID-19

Kathmandu- At a time when the administration has relaxed the lockdown to continue human and economic activities for some days, a public health expert has warned of increasing risk in the absence of strict implementation of safety protocol.

Public health expert Dr Rabindra Pande said the prohibitory order was relaxed not because the risk of COVID-19 fizzled out. “The coronavirus infection rate was still at 25 to 30 per cent. Test for the virus was not increased by the government nor shown interest by the public,” he reminded, adding there is the possibility of a third wave of Delta variant of the coronavirus. 
Dr Pande however said there is no possibility of new variant of coronavirus at present. He observed that there could be more cases of infection outside the Kathmandu Valley, but no testing there. Even the people have ditched the proper use of mask. It can be seen at different shops. 

The country is waiting for adequate import of vaccine against COVID-19. So far, 2.6 million people have been vaccinated first doze, while less than a million got second dose of the anti-COVID vaccines.

Dr Pande argued the government had to vaccinate more and more people than the present vaccination record. In the upcoming wave of coronavirus, those left in the vaccination drive would face more threat, he analysed.

He wonders why the people are not aware about the disease despite such dreadful effect. “We need to change our thoughts,” Pande said, informing that the Delta variant has spread in many countries- nearly a 100. They have continued lockdown to contain it. The research on possibility of Delta Plus is also on. So, both weakr or stronger variants may emerge,” Dr Pande added.

According to Pande, it is time for Nepal to review seriously on the lapses we made in some steps to contain the deadly virus in both the first and second wave. He expressed worry why the offices as of transport, land revenue, tax were gathering such crowds. 
-Narayan Dhungana, RSS