Amid COVID pandemic, permitting activities in J&K can prove catastrophic: Medical experts

‘Relaxations can result in widespread transmission of virus’

Srinagar, June 07: The medical experts in union territory of Jammu and Kashmir Sunday warned of catastrophic impact if the government allows normal activities amid the huge surge in number of positive cases of deadly coronavirus with daily spike.

Medical experts believe that the COVID-19 virus is already in community transmission and would be easier for it to attack and spread widely engulfing a huge population.

Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Dr Nisar Ul Hassan, the noted virologist batted for extension of lockdown and said if relaxation is given, there would be widespread transmission that can prove disastrous.

He said it’s not the appropriate time to re-open and allow normal activities stating that if we resume now  only response left would be another phase of prolong strict lockdown.

“Reopening of activities while COVID is still circulating widely will accelerate virus transmission in the community which would be disastrous,” he said.

Sudden relaxation of restrictions will supply new targets for the novel coronavirus,” he said adding “the virus will keep burning until it runs out of fuel.”

Dr Nisar said: “We understand the anxiety that our people are facing and are acutely aware of the economic and social impact of prolonged closure of various sectors. All of us want to get back to normal as soon as possible and to be able to see our friends and families.”

He said the purpose of lockdown was to keep people away from coming into contact with each other, therefore curbing the spread of the virus.

“With cases rising thick and fast, reopening would further deteriorate the situation, the effect of which could be worse than what has happened,” he said.

(KNO)