Experts have issued a warning regarding the intensification of coronavirus before the arrival of winter in Bangladesh. Even, the Prime Minister has feared an escalation in the rate of contract during this season and advised everyone to remain aware of. The discussion has been going on over the possible strike of a second wave in winter.
Every sector has been adversely affected by the coronavirus. No one has any idea as to who, where and how is getting infected during this catastrophe. Nonetheless, people are getting out of their home every day for the sake of their livelihood.
In the meantime, everyone is getting concerned by the fresh lockdown imposed in a number of countries. Everyone is worried as to whether Covid-19 will actually intensify in the winter or not. If yes, how much troublesome it will be for Bangladesh.
According to health experts, there is no alternative to awareness even if the rate of infection gears up. Awareness is the key to contain till the discovery of an effective vaccine. For this reason, they have advised to abide by the health safety measures. For example: conforming to the etiquettes while coughing and sneezing and also maintaining social distance. They think frequent handwashing and compulsory wearing of facemask will significantly reduce the rate of spread.
Will there be actually an uptick in coronavirus contract? While answering this question, Public health expert and President of Human Aid Bangladesh Dr. Sheikh Moinul Khokon said to the Business Post that it has not been scientifically proved whether coronavirus escalates or deescalates with variation in temperature. However, at the beginning contamination rate was high in countries with temperate climate mainly because of uncontrolled commuting of people and movement of cargo shipment.
According to this expert, the spread may increase during the winter for many reasons. For instance: people tend to stay together and they are reluctant to wash hands during the winter. Besides, the rate of infection with respiratory diseases remain high in the season. Patients having respiratory diseases are likely to become critical if infected with coronavirus in the winter.
World Health Organization (WHO) has already warned that coronavirus pandemic may further deteriorate in winter as contamination of coronavirus speeds up in the countries of northern hemisphere prior to the arrival of winter.
Professor of Dean of Medicine of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Dr ABM Abdullah said that changes take place in our lifestyle in the winter as we often keep our windows and doors closed to ward off the cold. According to him, such a confined environment is favourable for spiking coronavirus contracts.
Coronavirus does not survive in places with good ventilation. As we have to keep our door and window closed in the winter the risk of getting infected remains high.
On the other hand, the contagion of the virus started in China during the winter. So, there is a possibility for Covid-19 to intensify in winter.
Replying to a question regarding the likely uptick in coronavirus contagion in winter and the risks attached thereto for Bangladesh, Dr Mahbub H. Siddiqui, a Microbiologist and also the Co-ordinator of Microbiology programme of Brac University, said that the likelihood of coronavirus to intensify during winter has become evident across the world. During winter many people tend to stay in the same place for a longer period of time. Besides, the immune system of human remains weak due to Vitamin-D deficiency. Coronavirus can float in the air for a longer time in a dry climate. In addition, co-morbidity increases due to diseases like asthma because of more dust accumulation in the air. Coronavirus is more virulent (ability to intercept with a human) in lower temperature.
All of the aforementioned factors are applicable to Bangladesh. Accordingly, very little doubt remains over the likely increase of contracting of coronavirus in our country during winter. However, the extent of contagion and the tendency to be panicked in consequence need to be considered.
This expert put forward some logics why we should not become panicked even if the coronavirus situation deteriorates in our country. According to him, winter is not that much cold as in Europe and the United States. Therefore, we should not get into a panic taking into the bone-chilling cold in Europe and the United States.
Majority of our population have already been infected by the coronavirus in the last six months. For this reason, it is very much likely that the immunity developed in those people is still strong. Although some incidents of getting infected for the second time are being reported, the case is not applicable to everyone. Incidents of re-infection may be considered as an exception.
Moreover, apart from SARS, some other viruses remain active in our country throughout the year. The immune system of Bangladeshis is very much stronger than the nationals of other countries due to the interceptions of such weak virus. This may be a reason why coronavirus infliction has not gone to a larger scale here.
Above all, experts emphasized on building awareness as people are already suffering from respiratory diseases and those living in areas more prone to cold remain at a higher risk. Experts also opine that the elderly people should be extra cautious and in a similar way people, those have co-morbidities, should be careful.
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