Covid-19 more deadly in Gujarat, new mutant affects lungs very fast: Expert

As coronavirus has again picked its pace in the country, a close study of the new mutant of the virus reveals that it affects the human lungs in just three to four days.

Gandhinagar: COVID-19 is spreading at such a pace that the country has seen over one lakh cases per day in the last five days. According to health experts, the next four weeks would be very critical for the country as several parts of Gujarat, including major cities like Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara are facing a gloomy period.

A close study of the new mutant of the virus reveals that while the earlier virus used to remain lodged in the neck and nose for seven to eight days and then affect the lungs causing pneumonia while the new mutant affects the lungs in just three to four days.

The new mutant of the deadly coronavirus, found among the infected people, affects their lungs within three days causing pneumonia, according to Dr Chandresh Jardosh, former chief of the Gujarat branch of the Indian Medical Association.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Dr Jardosh said, "This has increased the risk of death among the coronavirus positive cases. Doctors associated with the IMA say the new mutant of coronavirus is more deadly as new symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea and burning in the eyes have been noticed. The coronavirus infection is spreading fast among women and children.

Under the circumstance, the health department of the state government needs to be all the more vigilant to meet the crisis," he said.

In view of the seriousness of the coronavirus crisis, he advised the Gujarat government to expedite vaccination even among people above the age of 18 years instead of the present 45 years.

He said it would be better if the government starts vaccinating people at their doorstep.

The new features of the new mutant of the virus are a matter of serious concern and therefore if the vaccination is done on a war footing it would help in developing herd immunity. About the shortage of vaccine, he said every company must increase the production of the vaccine.