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.
Shabina Khan Nazneen (25) resigned on Wednesday, accusing her senior of forcing her to remove burqa and hijab (headscarf) during the teaching period. She cited that it was "not worthy to compromise with her religious sentiments."
Comments
practice madidre full madabeku ...sumne shoki ge haakondu barodalla ...let her go and teach in Islamic university or madrasa ...avra community nalli ondu school and college quality education kodalla ..so heegagi illi bandu ..build up bere ....as per Islam ...non Muslim men should not look at Muslim women ..this lady has not covered face and hands ..high time hijab tax must be put .
Well done....
Good decision since she has trust on Creator... she is not going to die if she left this job... she may get better one...
Divine rule says it is better for the women to wear Modestly.. The women who use their god given intellect will recognize this blessing and follow it.... May ALLaH have mercy on them and protect them ... & May ALLAH guide those who are ignorant of this blessings.
Some of them without verifying the issue are ignorantly opposing it... It is for their benefit & protect oneself when the whole world is going god less... and living worst then animals now a days.
ALLAH is most merciful and most compassionate.. People should read the QURAN which is the manual for whole of mankind and a blessing for the LIFE ... Those who are missing it are really in DARKNESS of their LIFE ...
People heedlessly living their life and without proper knowledge, they come to conclusion & attack those who follow the divine rule.
For ME God's law is the best and it will protect me from the evil eyes of todays world..
Thank u True indian. U opened my eyes.
Ur absolutely correct. I prefer my sister or mom to wear hijab and cover her body fully. Instead of wearing mini skirts.
@bopanna
That means u don't respect Sita mata. Can't u see hijab on all sita matas pictures and idols
SISTER a great salute to you as you follow islam and imaan . with the heart
Even muslims respect Sita mata. Because on her all the pictures and idols. We can see her head is covered with hijab.
I think all women should wear hijab. It protects from evil eyes.
Keep your religion at home .... dont show off to hindu students
if u see Sita mata's Photo. She wears Hijab in all her Pictures.
Will they remove Sita Matas Hijab on all her idols?
O People of INDIA ....remember one thing ...many civilization has brith and death according it dealing with GOD and his rules.....so never late just repent and be good to every one . or else Aad and thamud will be reminded on this earth .
forget INDIA ....even country like USSR were destroyed by GOD using small groupf of unarmed and unskilled fighters from backward country ....so becarefull do not cros the border of aggression ....
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