PharmEasy Blog

Omicron Vs Delta, Beta & Other Variants – What Do We Know?

This article has been medically reviewed and fact-checked by Dr Nikita Toshi.

Introduction

Around the world, the vaccination rate is thankfully ticking up with over 55% of the population inoculated as we head into the end of 2021. In India, the same figure stands at 32% with more than 57% of the country receiving at least 1 dose. Recently, the WHO designated a variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as a Variant of Concern, giving it the name ‘Omicron’.

Since the Delta variant, we have all been on the lookout for what will come next and it seems our questions have been answered. What kind of threat does Omicron pose? Will we see increased lockdowns in India or around the world like when Delta first came to light? Let’s discuss what we know so far.

What Is The Omicron Variant?

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, like all viruses and bacteria, constantly evolves and mutates. Mutations are common and most mutations typically do not cause any drastic changes in how the virus behaves or interacts with humans.

Once in a while, however, a mutation or change in the virus can alter its properties significantly. For example,  it could impact the rate of transmissibility and change how effective the virus is at invading the immune system. This could make the virus better at infecting us. Now, since viruses are constantly changing, it would be impossible and ineffective to track every variation that occurs. That’s why the WHO uses a methodical approach, identifying Variants that need to be tracked and observed.

Variants of Concern is one category that identifies variants that can spread more easily, can cause serious illness or those that do not get treated or diagnosed easily by the existing measures as easily as existing variants. Omicron is the latest variant to receive the Variant of Concern title and was first detected in South Africa, with at least 30 countries having its cases by December 2021. The first cases of Omicron detected in India were discovered in Karnataka.

Why Is It Called Omicron?

The World Health Organisation created the naming convention for variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, both to simplify matters and help reduce stigma. The Variants of Interest and Concern are named simply after letters in the Greek alphabet.

Technically, the variants that we watch over all have long-winded scientific names. The scientific name for the Delta variant is B.1.617.2, while for Omicron it is B.1.1.529. These are long, hard to grasp titles. To make things easy for the media and general population to understand things, the WHO uses this Greek naming scheme.

Another reason is to help avoid blame games and finger-pointing on a global scale. Often when a new variant is discovered, the country where it is first detected often gets an unfair association with the outbreak of that variant. For example, the Delta variant has long been addressed as the ‘Indian variant’. 

The previous variants of the virus were designated Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and so on. Although following the sequence, the latest variant was expected to be named Nu. But Nu and Xi letters in Greek were skipped and Omicron was chosen as the name for this new variant.

Omicron Vs Other Variants

Omicron vs Delta Variant

Omicron Vs Vaccines

The WHO has emphasised time and again that vaccination remains our strongest tool in fighting off the disease as well as preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. The organisation is working to understand the effectiveness of vaccines against this variant, however, vaccination continues to be one of the leading forces in limiting the severity of symptoms and death.

Also Read: Is Covaxin Effective Against Omicron?

What Next?

There is not much we can know until the initial studies are complete and more data is collected. For new information always use trusted sources such as the WHO or government websites. Do not trust unverified information such as that found through messaging forwards and social media posts. We have no need to panic but every need to keep following the standard COVID-19 protocols. Wearing a mask, keeping physical distance, following respiratory etiquettes and maintaining proper hand hygiene should continue. And as the WHO has said, we need to continue with our vaccination efforts. Maybe we have all begun to relax a bit and that’s understandable. But this new variant comes as a reminder to stay vigilant and stay safe.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Here’s What Experts Are Speculating About The 3rd Wave Of COVID-19

Indians seem to be forgetting how miserable their lives had become just a couple of months ago when the second wave of COVID-19 had wreaked havoc, killing our loved ones and forcing us to knock from door to door for the arrangement of basic healthcare facilities.

As soon as the number of cases started dropping, people have once again started taking probably the deadliest virus in the history of mankind very lightly. The government lifted the curbs on travelling and visiting public places and people just lost control and thronged the hill stations and other tourist destinations completely ignoring every norm of social distancing.

The most unfortunate thing seems to be that the people did not learn anything from their mistake that they made after the first wave had started subsiding.

Since the virus’s first, second, and third-order effects manifest over various time periods, the pandemic will not be considered ‘over’ until the ‘third phase’ of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. It is the best time to take preventative steps and immunize ourselves with vaccines in order to prepare for the predicted third wave of COVID-19 in some countries. In order to effectively suppress and monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, early and timely measures with improved social distancing policies should be enforced.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Why should we be worried?

The newly sworn-in Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has taken charge at a time when India is recording about 40,000 COVID-19 cases on a daily basis. With the experts claiming that the third wave is ”inevitable”, it is not going to be easy for him to manage horrifying days in the offing.

Although India’s daily cases have started dropping, the third wave has appeared to have set in on July 4. A senior physicist, who has thoroughly analysed the trend of COVID-19 in India, has claimed that July 4 seems to be very similar to what it looked like back in February this year when the second wave had set in.

In another study conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI), the third wave, which is expected to be 1.7 times deadlier than the second wave, might hit India by the second week of August and possibly will reach its peak in September.

One expert is of the opinion that the 3rd wave will not be as severe as the 2nd. But we cannot be too sure, because another expert has brought to everyone’s attention the possibility of a new variant that has a capacity to overpower the immunity produced by vaccination and previous infection. 

Nearly 40 crore people in the country are vulnerable because they haven’t yet formed immunity against COVID-19.

Moreover, the Union Health Ministry has also warned that there has been a slowdown in the decrease in cases and a slight increase in the positive cases. Maharashtra, Kerala and some states of the Northeast are already witnessing a rapid rise in COVID positive cases. 

However, according to AIIMS chief Randeep Guleria, we can postpone the arrival of the third wave and even ensure it is not as deadly as the second wave if we adopt COVID-specific protocol.

Herd immunity against COVID-19 should be achieved by protecting people through vaccination, not by exposing them to the pathogen that causes the disease, to safely achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, a substantial proportion of the population would need to be vaccinated.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

What measures the government is taking to handle the third wave?

Learning something from past experience, the government is making some efforts to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, which seemed to have completely collapsed during the second wave of COVID-19.

Vaccines being our strongest shield against the virus, the government is planning to inoculate all adults above the age of 18 years by December this year. Ironically, not only the people but the authorities also seem to be becoming complacent, as India has seen a decrease in average weekly inoculation in the last couple of weeks.

The government, however, is ramping up preparations to ensure adequate oxygen supply. A plan has already been prepared to set up 1,200 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen generators.

More importantly, the government has to prepare more strategies to make people aware of the potential damages the third wave can cause. Plus, inoculating as many people as possible should be the government’s topmost priority to build maximum immunity against the third wave.

Expert Advice

ICMR chief Balram Bhargava has highlighted that the third wave is not a future challenge for us but how we react to it will define our situation. He has also said that instead of highlighting the wave aspect, our focus should be on following the COVID-appropriate behaviour to contain its spread. Dr Guleria further stated that mutations of the virus can make coronavirus more infectious and can set India back by making goals of herd immunity unreachable in the short term. In such circumstances, people need to cooperate with the governments by adopting all safety measures.

Additionally, the experts have advised keeping a close watch on the positivity rate, especially when it goes beyond 10%.

Takeaway

Even if the authorities execute all their responsibilities accurately, they would not be able to stop the third wave from causing damage unless we support them in the cause. We should not violate the COVID protocols like wearing a mask, maintaining social distance, not going out unnecessarily, avoiding crowded places, etc. If we do not follow these norms, there is nothing that can stop us from getting into the same situation we were in a few weeks back.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Does The New Unlock Mean We Can Relax COVID Regulations?

We are on the verge of a new unlock. For the last few months, all states of India have been in varying degrees of lockdown in a bid to contain the spread of the devastating Delta COVID variant.

In the next few weeks, the restrictions may be lifted and once again we will be able to resume certain activities that were part of our lives during the pre-COVID days. 

While the new unlock will definitely be an economic boon for lakhs of people, it also holds the potential to send us spiralling back into another COVID health crisis. 

Unlock is not an invitation to be hedonistic

With the unlocking approaching, many people have already started making holiday plans. It is understandable why they would want a vacation but it is foolhardy to immediately rush to the hills or the seaside. 

If thousands of people have decided to take a trip, it is quite likely that all the popular vacation spots would be teeming with people. Crowds are still dangerous and must be avoided at all costs. 

There is increasing realisation that removing COVID-19 restrictions is not about returning to the pre pandemic normal but about gradually and cautiously transitioning to a new normal, while being ready to reimpose measures if, and when, necessary.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Why are crowds dangerous?

For starters, the entire Indian population has not yet been vaccinated. You may have received one or even two doses of the vaccine or recovered from it but you can still be a carrier of COVID. It may not affect you that bad but you can pass it on to others.

Similarly, there is insufficient data on how long the vaccines are effective. We also don’t know exactly how long COVID antibodies produced when one is diagnosed with COVID and last in their bloodstream.

At this time, any carelessness can put you, your loved ones and countless other people at risk.

If you want to know how immune you are to COVID, you can opt for an immunity test such as the COVID Antibody test or the COVID Spike S1 Antibody test.

New variants on the rise

After the Delta variant wreaked havoc in India, we have already heard of two new variants. 

The Delta Plus variant has already been detected in India. Some scientists are of the opinion it may trigger the third wave.

Another variant that experts are monitoring is the Lambda variant. It hasn’t yet made its way to India but with the resumption of flights, it might reach Indian shores.

The delta variant is by far the most dangerous COVID mutation. There are no unanimous opinions on how effective our vaccines are against it. 

It is not yet time for us to celebrate because COVID has not yet been conquered. According to some reports, the third COVID wave may arrive around November 2021. That means we cannot throw caution to the wind. 

Here are a few safety measures to keep yourself and the country free from the clutches of COVID:

The threat is far from gone. We cannot yet resume the lifestyle we were used to before COVID struck. Only through unity and the COVID protocol can we finally banish COVID for good. 

Also Read: Camel Milk Benefits: A Research-Based Look Into Its Health Properties

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Unlock 1.0 – 5 Safety Tips To Keep Your Guard Up!

Starting from June, lockdown regulations will be eased in most parts of the country except in places where COVID-19 is virulent. After nearly two and a half months of enforced self-isolation, India is slowly inching back to its pre-COVID-19 ways – workplaces are back in business and airlines, buses, cabs and auto-rickshaws are operational again.

But remember, lockdown is being lifted to prevent further damage to our economy and normalize workflow in the country, NOT because coronavirus has been vanquished. It is still at large and anyone can contract it anytime, including you.

What can you do?

We have to be responsible and for the sake of our compatriots as well as our families, we need to be mindful of a few things-

1. Personal hygiene is as important as ever

Accept it, rigorous personal hygiene will be an integral part of our routine from now on. The good news is hygiene not only prevents coronavirus but many other illnesses as well like the flu, diarrhoea, common cold, stomach infection, etc.

So don’t forget to disinfect your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently. You should do it after-

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Other hygiene measures to keep in mind-

 2. Social distancing

Social distancing continues to be as important as ever. At all times, try to maintain 6 feet of distance between you and others. So whether you are out to purchase groceries, taking the bus to your office or working alongside a bunch of people at your place of work, do not come near others.

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3. Avoid public transport unless necessary

We realize this would be difficult to implement, but buses (trains and metro when they start plying) are likely to be packed with people and any one of them could be infected. So instead, look for alternatives. If your office is fairly close, WALK! It might seem like a big ask, but it would also do your health a lot of favour. You could also rent bicycles or even purchase one and of course, you could take a motorbike or a car to work.

4. Toughen up your immunity

Another way to win the war against COVID-19 is by strengthening your immunity. The stronger it is, the fewer the chances of you contracting it and it is not even difficult. A few herbs, fruits, nuts and vegetable will do the trick such as-

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All of these foods are loaded with antioxidants and have powerful anti-microbial properties that eliminate pathogens, which enter your body.

5. Mask yourself and follow other regulations

Wearing masks was made mandatory when the lockdown was in force and you should continue with this safety measure. A double-layered mask offers vital defence against coronavirus.

Post lockdown, do not expect life to be just as it was before. You are still to avoid containment zones. Even if you have family or friends living in such a zone, do not visit them right now.

If you are travelling long distances by flight, train or bus, comply with the rules and do not opt-out of thermal screening.

Lockdown being lifted is not a reason to throw caution to the wind. You have to be even more alert now as the risk of transmission will rise exponentially. 

Remember, don’t let your guard down to stay safe and healthy.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Latest Covid-19 Guidelines For Air, Train & Bus Travel!

After the long COVID-19 lockdown, India is slowly but surely returning to normalcy. Airlines have started staggered operation of flights. ‘Shramik’ express trains and buses are traversing the length and breadth of the country, returning migrant workers to their home states.

Travel restrictions will most likely be lifted in the near future and then we will be boarding trains and buses to go to work or visit our family. Alternatively, we could also be boarding a flight to return home or to the city where we work.

Are you worried about using public transport?

However, like everyone, you too must be worried about contracting COVID-19 once you start travelling by public transport. After all, you will be coming in contact with so many people and any one of them could be a carrier. And should you catch the disease, you could then pass it on to your family. So what should you do? Fortunately, there are a few precautions that can keep you safe when you travel.

Common safety guidelines for flight, train & bus travelers

First things first, preventing the further spread of the disease is everyone’s responsibility. So each of us needs to follow certain guidelines to keep everyone safe from the clutches of coronavirus. These guidelines are simple to implement

1. Social distancing

Social distancing is still the most effective way to prevent coronavirus. You may have heard that airlines, trains and buses have mandated that they will not be filled to full capacity and rows will be left vacant. And we have to be extra responsible and ensure that this social distancing is maintained throughout our commute.

What can you do? Form an orderly queue before boarding your flight, train or bus and make sure there is sufficient distance between you and the other passengers. Do not crowd around the exits when it is time to disembark. In a train or bus, do not forcefully occupy seats that are left empty for the sake of social distancing.

Use of jala neti kriya with salt water post travelling is effective in reducing the covid viral load inside nasopharyngeal cavity as salt water is inhibitory to growth of virus.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

At all times, be at least 6 feet away from everyone.

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2. Sanitize your hands

Another crucial preventive measure is to sanitize your hands multiple times while commuting. You will be touching handrails, overhead baggage compartments and washroom doorknobs. As we know, coronavirus can linger on these surfaces for 72 hours. Using an alcohol-based sanitiser will kill the virus if it is present on your hands.

Avoid eating while travelling back and forth from work. If it is a long interstate journey, make sure your hands are washed or sanitized thoroughly before consuming food. Do not touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth with your hands unnecessarily. Make sure your children don’t do that either.

Sanitize your hands again after you get off your flight, train or bus. According to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, all airports, railway stations and bus terminals will be stocked with soaps and sanitisers so use them. Once you reach your office or home, clean your hands with soap and water for a minute.

3. Wear a mask

Wear a protective mask at all times, from the moment you step out to when you reach home. It offers the first line of defence against transmission.

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4. Clean up thoroughly

To eliminate the risk of the coronavirus surviving on your clothes, suitcase or work bag, you need to disinfect them when you come home after your journey by flight, train or bus. Wash your clothes and suitcase or bags.

5. Comply with the authorities

The centre has requested states to make arrangements for thermal screening at airports, railway stations and bus terminals. Please undergo the screening. It is for your own good and the safety of our country.

6. Let us all be responsible citizens

If you are exhibiting any sign of coronavirus, refrain from travelling altogether as you will risk the health of others.

According to guidelines, all flight or ‘Shramik’ express passengers are to self-monitor for 14 days. If you think you have symptoms of coronavirus, consult a medical professional immediately.

It is natural to be apprehensive about opting for public modes of transport in the present scenario. But life cannot remain on hold forever. Follow basic hygiene guidelines while travelling and cooperate with the transport authorities. If we are all cautious, together we can defeat the COVID-19 menace.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

We Are Taking All Safety Measures To Ensure Safe Delivery!


Are you apprehensive about receiving deliveries from us in the current scenario? Let us put your minds to rest. Your health and safety are of utmost importance to us! So, we implement a set of precautionary measures to ensure that you get your packages in the safest way possible! Read on to find how are we  doing so.

1. Maintaining social distance

At our offices and warehouses, our employees are keeping the mandatory 6 feet distance between each other while doing all the activities.

2. Vigorous disinfecting of premises

We disinfect our premises and our warehouses every day with bleach. Disinfecting agents like bleach can kill all forms of viruses and other pathogens so that they can never make their way to your products.

3. The staff wears masks  

All employees involved in restocking and packaging wear masks to prevent package contamination. Your package and its contents are in safe hands.

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4. Daily temperature check

All employees who work in the warehouses undergo compulsory temperature-check every day. If their body temperature seems elevated, they are asked to consult a doctor.  

Delivery partners are the people who deliver your package. That is why we take extra precautions and check their body temperature multiple times a day, especially before they set off to deliver the goods.

If a rider seems feverish, we will substitute him with another rider. Rest assured, the person who brings you your delivery is completely healthy.

5. Protective gear for delivery partners

This is another safety measure we adopt alongside temperature check. Our riders always wear masks and gloves for added protection.

6. Our delivery partners wash their hands

Before setting off with your products, our delivery partners carefully and thoroughly clean their hands with hand sanitizers that they always carry with them. After each delivery, the partners once again clean their hands before embarking on the next delivery run.

7. Contactless delivery

What makes purchasing from PharmEasy an experience free from worries is that we offer contactless delivery. Our delivery partners will deliver the package at your doorstep. You will not come into contact with the partner, so there is no fear of you getting infected.

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8. We use Arogya-Setu App

The Arogya Setu app can tell our delivery partners if they have been near an infected person. If so, they will voluntarily go off duty and be quarantined.

We will never compromise on anyone’s wellbeing, especially at this critical hour. Follow the necessary guidelines, stay safe and shop worry-free with PharmEasy.  

COVID-19 – Things-To-Do To Reduce Risk Of Infection!

Despite massive efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, it has spread to almost every country in the world. So, now the question on everyone’s mind is ”What can I do to protect myself from this coronavirus?”The best way to prevent catching the infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

Here are some things you can do to reduce your exposure to COVID-19.

Keep at least 6-feet distance between yourself and other people. Stay away from crowded places and avoid mass gatherings. Small liquid droplets which may contain the virus are expelled from the nose or mouth during coughing or sneezing. If you are too close, you might inhale these droplets, including the coronavirus if the person coughing has the disease. Regularly and thoroughly, wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub/sanitizer for at least 20 seconds which kills the viruses that may be on your hands. You can get COVID-19 by touching a surface that has the virus on it. By touching such surfaces, hands can easily pick up viruses which can eventually transfer to your eyes, nose or mouth.   When you cough or sneeze, ensure that you cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your bent elbow. The used tissue should be disposed off immediately. Use face masks or homemade protective covers for your face and mouth in case you step out of your house to buy groceries or for emergency cases.In-Blog Get medical attention immediately if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Follow the directions of your local health authority.   Stay informed about the latest developments regarding COVID-19. Follow your healthcare provider’s advice, as well as your national and local public health authority on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.  

If you are in or have recently visited (past 2 weeks) COVID-19 affected areas  

Have a plan for if you get sick

What to do if you have symptoms?

*This list is not all-inclusive. For any other symptoms that are severe or concerning, you should consult your medical provider.Also Read: Decoding The Causes Of Bumps On The Back Of The ThroatDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

COVID-19 – How Can Social Distancing Help?

3 months ago, we were not even familiar with the expression ‘social distancing’. But then the coronavirus pandemic began to spread across the world infecting hundreds of thousands of people. With the rising cases in India, we too have been urged to stay home and practise social distancing.

So, what is social distancing and how does it work? Read on to find out.

What is social distancing?

Social distancing means keeping a minimum distance of 5-6 feet between you and other people outside your home. This means no group gatherings and staying away from crowded places. It limits your exposure to the virus and keeps your family safe.

Remember to step out alone to buy groceries and other essentials. Avoid taking other family members or anyone else with you. The government has instructed shop owners to ensure that social distancing is followed by all shoppers.

So, let us understand why coronavirus is so dangerous and why we need social distancing.

The dangers of Coronavirus

Coronavirus is deadly, we already know that from the staggering death toll from across the globe. But, what is even more alarming is the speed at which it spreads.

According to the observations of WHO that tracked the pattern of the transmission across the world, the first 1 Lakh people were infected in 67 days. The next 1 Lakh were infected in 12 days. The virus took only 4 days to infect another 1 Lakh people and finally in just 2 days 1 Lakh new people contracted the virus.

This is called an exponential rise. Like wildfire, it has consumed Europe and the USA and these countries seem to be at a loss about how to prevent the spread of the virus even further.

And the same pattern is beginning to emerge in India. By March 30th, the number of infected patients escalated by 10 times in just 15 days.

To prepare for future pandemics caused by various pathogens, it is necessary to evaluate the impact of national social distancing not only on the spread of COVID-19, but also on the transmission of various infectious diseases like influenza, and infections by adenovirus and rhinovirus.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

India takes up the fight against Coronavirus

Medical experts in India knew that unless the exponential spread of the disease is stopped, healthcare services in India would be overwhelmed. In a country with a huge population, the situation can become graver than in Europe.

So, what could India do to stop transmission?

While testing and contact tracing are the domains of experts, all the public needs to do is practise social distancing.

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The Importance of Social distancing to slow down the spread of COVID-19

From midnight of March 24th, a complete lockdown for 21 days was imposed on India to make social distancing more effective. On 14th April, the prime minister further extended the lockdown till 3rd May. Both the Central government and state governments have requested the people of the country to minimize person-to-person contact or contact with the outside world.

Apart from social distancing, vaccination against COVID-19 is very important as getting vaccinated could save your life. COVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives since their introduction and provide strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

The research behind the efficacy of social distancing

This move can be backed by research conducted in Australia that found that social distancing should be applied as early as possible before the virus starts spreading fast. The longer the country takes to declare social distancing, the more time the virus has to transmit itself aggressively.

This is where Europe went wrong. They acted when it was too late and that is why today they are unable to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Furthermore, research by the Indian Council of Medical Research has found that social distancing can reduce the spread of coronavirus by as much as 62%!

Another study by COV-IND-19 concluded that without social distancing, the number of infected people could reach 13 Lakh by the middle of May.

Covid 19 mainly spreads airborne by droplets. The droplets from coughing or sneezing can travel upto 3 feet when protective masks are worn and without them they can travel 22 ft in a closed environment. Hence social distancing along with masking is necessary to prevent the spread of covid 19.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Reasons for implementing social distancing

Social distancing is an absolute necessity at this hour.

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Why is it so important? Let us explain.

The ICMR found that temperature checks that were imposed at airports before the blanket ban on travel might not have been sufficient. Many people who came in from abroad had the virus in their bodies but they had not experienced fever yet. The virus could have been in the incubation phase in these people. Nearly 46% of infected people might have been missed due to this.

The ICMR also said it might take the next few months for the COVID-19 to truly manifest itself. We will not know the full extent of the spread of this infection until then. These months are crucial and without preventive measures, we too could end up like Europe and the USA.

India ranks 57th in a list of 195 countries in terms of how prepared a country is for a pandemic. So, we are not very well equipped to handle a health crisis of this proportion. Social distancing will ensure that we don’t get to the serious stages of this COVID-19.

Conclusion

Now you know why social distancing is so vital in the fight against coronavirus and we all have to do our part to win this battle. Stay home, resist the temptation of going out. Use social media and your smartphones to stay in touch with friends and family. The crisis will pass only if everyone cooperates.      

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