Don’t lower your guard against pandemic, warns PGI Director

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 9

Amid a resurge in Covid cases, PGI Director Prof Jagat Ram, in a statement released today, warned city residents against lowering their guard and adhere to “Covid-appropriate behaviour”.

“With the Covid positive cases rising for the past one week, there are chances of another spike in view of the festive season, winters and increasing pollution levels,” said Prof Jagat Ram, Director, PGI.

“Respiratory viruses such as SARS, influenza, show seasonal variance with cases spiking in winters. So, there is a possibility that the coronavirus infections might also rise in the coming months. Furthermore, low humidity promotes evaporation of viral particles and aerosol formations, which can increase the airborne spread of disease,” he said.

He said: “Rise in the pollution level in winters is lethal for respiratory health. If one contracts Covid now, it’s likely to be more severe. Till the time a vaccine is out, wearing a proper mask, following hand hygiene and social distancing are important.”