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
@Thinker, Of course we(Muslims) are 'minority', but far enough to face 'majority' in the election. As the majority are split according into many caste.
Time is no far to unite the Muslims in 1 platform to gain the ultimate political power and i
MA SHA ALLAH Proud to be a MUSLIM! Many more people are there to revert In Sha Allah.. Its Allah who is helping us..
If you notice the statistics, all these communities belong to Hinduism and further these communities are treated as separate or individuals. The culture including worships are also different.
Where as Muslims have though different languages, they are considered as single community because of single method of worship where singular God is their one and only God.
Surprisingly because of this fact, their share is increasing due to attraction to people of other communities. There is no worry in the end, because gradually everyone will know the truth and everyone will belong to the same (that) community, so no difference and no communal hatred at the end.
\ It is HE who has sent the Messenger with Guidance and the religion of Truth, to manifest it Over ALL RELIGIONS, how much ever the unbeliever might not like it ....\" (Qur'an - Ch 9:33)"
Thinker Hell.....
Come out of hell..So called bramins are less in number but ruling all hindus in the name of God. And what else you want???
Beware dear..chaddeezz....
However the MEDIA malign MUSLIM with false images.... Muslims around the world are increasing and it will increase rapid in the coming Years In Shaa ALLAH. The irony is that Many people understood the MEDIA conspiracy did by the IT professional by Cheddi deceivers. Many people learnt more about ISLAM and the reality and the Fact. Muslims are growing not in their own but also many non muslims are converting to ISLAM by learning & getting knowledge of the CREATOR who created us... Those who worship the creator are successful. Those who worship the created things are need to learn who is our CREATOR who CREATED all that exists.
Frankly speaking I trust this portal (i.e. Coastal Digest) right from the beginning only because it published fact news to convey the readers.
Today when I read the above news I am really surprised to know the facts with figures. Even a common man can understand the political power of each community.
Though we (Muslims) constitute a huge number (75 Lac), Very sad know our M.L.A's are just 11 in number which is equal to nothing. Our community is very much backward in political power.
Currently 'Power of Powers' in one and only i.e. \ POLITICAL POWER\". Let all of us think and act for the uplift of the community & our fellow kannadigas by choose a existing political party in fray."
In sha allah soon it will come to No 1 Place
please convey this messege to other media, they have lack of knowledge in getting news
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