Covid returns

After two year of relative absence, COVID-19 cases are rising again across parts of the globe, and India is no exception. With active infections crossing 3,700 nationwide, including 685 new cases and four deaths in the last 24 hours alone, it’s clear the virus is not done with us. According to the World Health Organization, the infections are triggered by Omicron subvariants.

However, on a positive note, most cases are mild and manageable at home. Hospitalisations remain low, and the variants circulating have not shown a tendency to cause severe illness. Still, the pace of the increase is striking. India jumped from around 250 cases on May 22 to nearly 3,400 by May 31, a tenfold rise in less than two weeks. Such a surge demands not panic, but preparedness.

The need for caution applies equally to Kashmir. As per official data, J&K reported six active COVID-19 cases as of Sunday, up from just two earlier in the week. Doctors suggest there may be more unreported infections, particularly with some people reluctant to test. The good news: there are no hospitalisations so far, and health facilities, including oxygen and isolation wards, have been kept ready in anticipation of a possible spike.

However, we can’t put the onus on the government alone. The people have to play their role too. We need to go back to wearing masks, especially in public places, and also stay home when unwell. This can keep infections in check. According to medical experts, past exposure and vaccination will go some way to safeguard us against severe infections but vulnerable groups such as elderly and immunocompromised still face risks from the new variants.

Kashmir's health infrastructure has evolved since the early days of the pandemic. It is now up to citizens to respond with responsibility, not complacency. The virus may have changed form, but our defences remain the same: awareness, caution, and community care.