Cases of coronavirus infection are being seen increasing once again in many countries. There has been a huge surge in infection cases in many countries including India, Singapore, and America in the last month. It has been reported in the study that such mutations have been seen in the new variant of Corona, FLiRT (Filert), which makes it capable of spreading the infection rapidly. The situation is such that in the week ending May 11, infection has been identified in more than 25 thousand people in Singapore. More than 13 thousand cases were reported in the previous week.
According to media reports, coronavirus cases have increased in India too. The number of coronavirus infections has increased due to new variants in many states including Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Odisha. The new Corona variant Filart (KP.2) is a sub-variant of Omicron, regarding which health experts have appealed to all people to continue taking precautions.
The Singapore government has also appealed to people to wear masks as a precautionary measure. In such a situation, the question arises whether a lockdown-like situation is being created once again.
Next month challenging
According to local media reports in Singapore, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has expressed the possibility of infection cases reaching a peak next month. The Health Minister said that we are in the initial phase of the new wave of Corona where cases are continuously increasing, and it is necessary to control it from now on. The new set of 'FLiRT' variants now account for more than two-thirds of the cases in the country. The number of patients in Singapore hospitals is also increasing.
Is a lockdown-like situation happening?
Based on the reports of studies conducted on the new variant of Corona, experts said that due to the speed with which KP.2 is growing, it can very soon replace the fastest-spreading JN.1 variant. In the study of about 50% of Corona samples, KP.2 is considered to be the main factor. The World Health Organization has classified KP.2 as a 'variant under monitoring'.
Health officials say that Filart is also of Omicron-like nature, hence there is a risk of increasing the infection, but the possibility of serious disease cases is less. If preventive measures are taken in the initial stages then it can be easily controlled.
How different are its symptoms?
According to the initial report of the researchers regarding the new variant, no surprising symptoms have been observed in KP.2. Study researcher Dr. Lundstrom says, the symptoms of the new variant are also similar to the earlier variants of Covid. Most of the infected people are experiencing problems like fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, fatigue, muscle or body pain, headache, and loss of taste or smell. Most of the infected are seen without symptoms.
What do the researchers say?
Study researcher Lundstrom says, like previous variants of Omicron, cases like loss of taste and smell are being seen less in those infected with KP.2. Most people do not feel the need for specific treatment and they recover on their own. Health experts say it is too early to say how contagious the new variant is but its cases are increasing. It is most important to wear a mask and follow COVID-19 COVID-19-appropriate behavior. Everyone needs to keep protecting themselves.
(PC: ISTOCK)
