COVID-19 to remain with us even after it is tackled, say experts

Alappuzha: Health experts claim that even if the threat of Coronavirus subsides eventually, it will continue to persist in our society just like how H1N1 virus is still a threat to us. H1N1 broke out in Mexico in 2009. It spread to 63 countries around the globe. It came to India as well with the death of a Pune native. A week later, the disease was reported in Kerala as well.

Within a year, the disease spread to 10,193 people in India. 1833 died in the country while 69 in the state. The death rate kept on rising with each day. Later even though we managed to tackle the disease, it never really left the country. It still affects people.

On an average, 700 to 800 people are affected by the virus in a year in Kerala. Around 40 to 45 people die in the state. Health experts claim that Coronavirus would be similar presence in the country. It will continue to become active every now and then, maybe not with this intensity.

When the virus persists in our society, the body will develop a natural immunity against it. Novel Coronavirus is a variant of the Human Coronavirus, which has always been present here.

Once Chikungunya posed great threats to our society, but now it can be seen only in a small scale. It will be the same with Novel Coronavirus. But it cannot be predicted accurately, said B Anilkumar, Virologist, National Virology Institute.

World Health Organisation is concerned that the presence of the Novel Coronavirus will continue to remain here. The virus can reappear in different shape. People, once infected, can be infected yet again, said Dr TD Unnikrishna Kartha, Alappuzha Medical College.