Uncertain when Covid will become an endemic, but no major outbreak likely in India: Expert

The comments by Dr. Parvaiz Koul, Director of SKIMS Hospital in Kashmir, come as highly transmissible strains of Omicron, mainly BF.7, have caused a spike in coronavirus infections. in many countries, including China.

“It is uncertain when or if Covid will become a pandemic, but it is unlikely that it will be eliminated completely. We could see occasional outbreaks, if new mutations emerge, like in China. In India, it doesn’t look like there will be a pandemic.” Koul, a leading pulmonary and infectious disease researcher, says the new outbreak will be significant over the next two to three months.

Taking to Twitter, Koul has said that India has the upper hand in dealing with Covid due to widespread hybrid immunity but suggested that the high-risk group may need a booster dose.

“There is an advantage of widespread hybrid immunity, although those at high risk may need a booster shot if significant time has passed since the last dose,” he said.

“Those who haven’t taken a preventive (booster) dose must do. Please follow government guidelines,” Koul said.

Earlier this week, Koul said modeling data from reliable agencies does not foresee any major Covid wave in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Modeling data from reliable agencies (such as from the University of Washington) predicts low virus circulation in the coming weeks in J&K (Jammu and Kashmir), but the models,” he said. could go terribly wrong.”

The director of SKIMS Hospital said: “So stay calm, follow routine precautions and get vaccinated if you haven’t been vaccinated as advised. Safety is savings. Safety is better. sorry”.

(With input from PTI)