The deadly coronavirus that entered India while there was still nip in the air has beaten rising mercury, humid conditions, unique Indian genome and has entered monsoon season with more potency as fresh cases are only breaking all records in the country.
India recorded a single-day spike of record 24,850 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, taking its total tally to 6.73 lakh corona-positive cases.
Top Indian microbiologists were hopeful in March that after the 21-day lockdown, as summer approaches, the rise in temperature would play an important role in preventing the drastic spread of COVID-19 virus in India.
Several virologists hinted that by June this year, the impact of COVID-19 would be less than what it appeared in March-April.
The claims have fallen flat as the virus is mutating fast, becoming more potent than ever.
According to experts, the novel coronavirus is a new virus whose seasonality and response to hot humid weather was never fully understood.
"The theory was based on the fact that high temperatures can kill the virus as in sterilisation techniques used in healthcare. But these are controlled environment conditions. There are many other factors besides temperature, humidity which influence the transmission rate among humans," Dr Anu Gupta, Head, Microbiologist and Infection Control, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, told IANS.
There is no built-up immunity to COVID-19 in humans.
"Also, asymptomatic people might be passing it to many others unknowingly. New viruses tend not to follow the seasonal trend in their first year," Gupta emphasized.
Globally, as several countries are now experiencing hot weather, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a record hike in the number of coronavirus cases, with the total rising by 2,12,326 in 24 hours in the highest single-day increase since COVID-19 broke out.
So far over 11 million people worldwide have tested positive for the disease which has led to over 5,25,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The US remained the worst-hit country with over 28 lakh cases, followed by Brazil with 15.8 lakh.
According to Sandeep Nayar, Senior Consultant and HOD, Respiratory Medicine, Allergy & Sleep Disorders, BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi, whether temperature plays a role in COVID-19 infection is highly debated.
One school of thought said in the tropical regions of South Asia, the virus might not thrive longer.
"On the other hand, another school of thought has found that novel Coronavirus can survive in a hot and humid environment and tropical climate does not make a difference to the virus. According to them, this is what distinguishes the novel coronavirus from other common viruses, which usually wane in hot weather," stressed Nayar.
Not much has been studied in the past and no definite treatment or vaccine is available to date.
"Every day, new properties and manifestation of the disease come up. As of now, the only way to prevent this monster is by taking appropriate precautions. Hand hygiene, social distancing, cough etiquette and face masks definitely reduce spread of COVID-19 infection," Nayar told IANS.
Not just top Indian health experts, even Indian-American scientists had this theory in mind that sunshine and summer may ebb the spread of the coronavirus.
Ravi Godse, Director of Discharge Planning, UPMC Shadyside Pennsylvania in the US told IANS in April: "In the summer, the humidity can go up as well, meaning more water drops in the air. If the air is saturated with water and somebody sneezes virus droplets into such air, it is likely that the droplets will fall to the ground quicker, making them less infectious. So the short answer is yes, summer/sunshine could be bettera.
According to Dr Puneet Khanna, Head of Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonology, Manipal Hospital, Delhi, COVID-19 death rates are not too different in tropical countries but since the disease affected them late it was yet to show its peak in these areas.
"The virus can survive well in hot and humid countries and this is proven now," he stressed.
Comments
Good initiative and we hope this has a wide outreach.
The activities of the fringe antisocials have to exposed for what they are and whom they serve.
By educating our youth, imparting skills, creating jobs and fostering humanity, we can ensure that harmony is sustained.
We are busy firefighting and not bothering to target and tackle the root cause, the real fire.
So pleased to see that the various sects have come together towards a better future for our beloved Mangalore.
Bravo!
Few on dias are jobless. Nice way to make living.. no income tax at all.
Easy life
Organising such an event is itself a landmark in communally sensitive city like Mangalore. It is Humanity Vs Hate & Terror. Wish this small step by proud sons of Mangalore prove to be a sigh of relief to the Peace loving general public of twin districts. Hope this will be the start of isolating BAD ELEMENTS from ALL COMMUNITIES for a Better Managalore!! Jai Hind!
Great stuff Saif.. May God Bless you... Hope all the Mangaloreans understand and live peacefully... @ Viren .. dont follow whoever you are following blindly..it will lead you no where... hatred has never brought peace no where in the world.. it will only lead to destruction.. live and let live.. Jai Hind
Hi Mangaloreans,
Thanks a million for your support and kind words.
1. Small drops make a ocean , have patience
2. Wish you the same and Thanks for the motivation madam
3. It's just the beginning and we have just started with a few , will be adding more in the future.
4. Thanks a million sir
5. The youth wing of Billavara Sangha Yuva Vahini is with us & youth from all communities are being misused
6.Thanks a million for your wishes sir
7. We are organising such events to warn Mangaloreans about trouble makers like you in all communities, we have filed a Cyber Crime Complaint and they are tracking your IP Adress , expect a call soon where you are
Jai Hind
this is a pure gimmick by both parties. In fact worship idols itself a gimmick.. all show off.. to fool people..
I think organisers forgot to include Hizbul mujahideen. hahaha.
Try involve Billavara Sangha representation. Billava youths are mostly used by the leaders of violence for their political benefits.
Most of the roudism, murder etc cases billava unemployed or uneducated youths are behind . They are the one who get killed and most they are the one who are going to the Jail.
Good Luck!
All the best.
Our twin districts known for peaceful co-existence communal harmony,love,brotherhood and trust. And also known for hospitality for guests Mangaloreans are intelligent educated smart and kind hearted people.. But now a days people are living with hatred and
insecure feelings. Few anti social elements trying to spoil the image of our districts by seeding the hatred poisons in the minds of the innocent people. It is the responsibility of all the NGO's ,politicians, religious scholars, administrative institutions to promote and uphold the peace and harmony in the society.
Major NGO's and religious organizations missing in the unique conclave.
Good move. God bless you all. God bless Mangaluru.
But when the major organisations will unite for a better cause? you can bring small organisations together anytime. Even though bunts organisations is part of the event, am sure it's for name sake.
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