Third Wave: Next Covid variant will be deadlier and more infectious, warns WHO
After a slight relief, India has reported 5.6% more Covid cases on February 8 than the previous day. The country has logged 71,365 fresh Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours. However, the country’s positivity rate has slightly dropped, from 5.02% to 4.54%.
India's caseload is continuously declining. On the other hand, WHO has already warned about the next Covid variant.
Here are the latest updates on Covid-19:
1. INDIA’S COVID NUMBERS
India has reported 71,365 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours. This tally is 5.6% more than the previous day.
As per the Health Ministry data, the country’s weekly positivity rate remains at 7.57%.
1,72,211 Covid patients have recovered from the virus and 15,71,726 Covid tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.
As per the data available, yesterday’s death toll is higher than the previous day. 1,217 people succumbed to the virus yesterday.
#Unite2FightCorona#LargestVaccineDrive#OmicronVariant ????? ?????https://t.co/Xpw2Xu9cHy pic.twitter.com/q0wN58WFc3
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) February 9, 2022
2. WHO WARNS ABOUT THE NEXT COVID VARIANT
The Omicron wave is slowly declining in India. Before the Omicron variant is completely eradicated, WHO has already warned about the next Covid-19 variant. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, epidemiologist and technical lead on Covid-19 at WHO, has said that the pandemic is far from over.
“The next variant of concern will be more fit, and what we mean by that is that it will be more transmissible because it will have to overtake what is currently circulating. The big question is whether or not future variants will be more or less severe,” Dr Van Kerkhove said.
What are potential future scenarios on #COVID19 and #Omicron? WHO's Dr @mvankerkhove explains. ⬇ pic.twitter.com/joaHlgmLKi
— World Health Organization Philippines (@WHOPhilippines) February 6, 2022
3. EXPERT VIEW ON VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN UNDER 15 REQUIRED
In India, 2022 began with vaccination for children between 15-18 years. There is currently no announcement for vaccinations for children below 15 years. However, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya mentioned on Tuesday in the Rajya Sabha that the government will take suggestions from experts before starting vaccinations for this age group.
“The future decision to vaccinate those below 15 years of age will be taken based on the expert group's suggestion,” he said.
4. CASELOAD IN DIFFERENT STATES
The top 5 states which have reported maximum Covid cases over the past 24 hours are:
Kerala: 29,471 cases
Maharashtra: 6,107 cases
Tamil Nadu: 4,519 cases
Karnataka: 4,452 cases
Rajasthan: 3,411 cases
5. LINK BETWEEN COVID AND HEART DISEASE RISK
Several studies have highlighted the long-term impact of Covid-19 infection on one’s body. The virus affects the patient’s heart too.
A recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine has also highlighted the link between Covid-19 infection and heart health.
According to the US study, people who have had Covid-19 are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications within the first month to a year after infection.