SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that causes Covid-19. Not much is known about it so far since it is a new type of virus. Most of the researchers reported that this virus widely transmits in cold weather.
The chill weather facilitates the transmission of this virus. But its spread is also observed in the hot and humid environment.
It is a question that how does this virus thrive in cold, dry weather, and also in high temperature?
Unfortunately, this pandemic has surpassed the mortality rates of any other disease.
And many of the countries have paid a heavy price for not following the discipline of public health. Not being prepared for this global outbreak costs a heavy price resulting in elevated death rates.
Many countries have more Covid-19 laboratory testing facilities available.
Also, the medical staff has gained more expertise and awareness about how to treat the patients well suffering from the deadly virus.
Though, the prolonged period of lockdown has brought to an end in most of the countries. The educational institutions are reopened that have been close for an extended period.
The Second Wave of the Pandemic
The threat of the second wave of the pandemic is running rampant. Everyone is being affected by it.
Since this is flu season, it is difficult to differentiate and understand the actual threats of the COVID-19.
We should follow the instructed Standard Operating Protocols to prevent its spread.
Some countries that experienced a downfall in the coronavirus cases early on are now facing another wave of elevation in cases.
A Surge in Covid-19 Cases
Unfortunately, we are currently seeing surges in the COVID-19 cases across the United States and in many of our communities. Why is this happening? Unluckily, it is primarily due to our behavioral choices and our desire to be open and resume business as usual.
Early in the pandemic, many states issues ‘stay at home’ orders, and as people stayed at home, this helps to flatten the curve and prevent the transmission of the virus from person to person.
The behavioral response towards the globally spread pandemic is the primary factor that causes a spike in coronavirus cases (Maragakis, 2020).
The preventive measures and the spread of COVID-19 are undoubtedly interrelated. A surge in cases is observed in the places where people socialize more, arranging indoor gatherings with family and friends, not following SOPs.
As we began reopening, mainly indoor locations, they become high-risk settings. It is true if people do not wear a mask and do not maintain physical distance when entering indoor spaces. This ultimately offers the virus an opportunity to transmit from person to person (Maragakis, 2020).
Many people do not even know that they are carrying a virus, so that asymptomatic people can spread the virus on to one or more individuals when they do not wear a mask and are very close to other individuals (Diavolo, 2020).
It is imperative to understand that there is a very long time lag between any policy and behavioral change and when we see that reflected in the data, especially for hospitalizations and deaths.
It can take 4-8 weeks before a community sees an increase in hospitalizations and deaths due to changing the policies.
References
Maragakis, L.L. (2020). Coronavirus Second Wave? Why Cases Increase. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/first-and-second-waves-of-coronavirus
Diavolo, L. (2020). COVID-19’s Second Wave? Cases are Rising Across the United States and the World in New Fall Wave. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/covid-19-second-wave-cases-rising-united-states-world-new-fall