COVID cases: Know about the daily wellness routine to stay prepared and healthy
HT Lifestyle reached out to experts to understand the latest COVID-19 developments about the emerging variant, along with practical ways to stay prepared.
Prof. (Dr) Balram Bhargava, former Director General of ICMR and Secretary of the Department of Health Research, who played a central role in managing the COVID-19 response in India, shared with HT Lifestyle about one of the emerging variants and what it means.
'The emergence of the XFG variant is part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus's natural evolution. XFG carries mutations which may enhance its ability to bind to human cells and bypass immune defences. Early reports suggest that the variant has high immune escape potential, but there is no current evidence to indicate increased severity."
Amid rising COVID-19 cases and concerns over the new XFG variant, Dr Bhargava assured about India's diagnostic infrastructure. He said, "However, as the virus adapts, so has India's diagnostic infrastructure adapted since the very first wave. RT-PCR remains the cornerstone of COVID-19 diagnostics, and the widespread deployment of rapid molecular platforms like Truenat puts India in a strong position to detect and contain emerging variants swiftly, even in remote and resource-limited settings. Point-of-care testing played a crucial role during the pandemic then, and it continues to be a frontline tool for detecting emerging variants like XFG. Vigilance is critical now, and do not panic. As we've done in the past, we should continue testing when symptomatic, masking in crowded spaces, and staying up to date with vaccinations.'
Now that you are aware of the emerging XFG variant and what it means, let's focus on staying healthy and building immunity. Dr Bharesh Dedhia, Consultant, Intensive Care at P.D. Hinduja Hospital and MRC, Khar, shared a guide for a daily wellness routine:
ALSO READ: COVID spiking again: Top 6 nutrients you need to include in your diet for better immunity
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
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