How deadly is the new variant of Corona?

 How deadly is the new variant of Corona?

New variants of Corona were found through Alpha, Beta, Delta and Omicron. 'KP.1' and 'KP.2' are subvariants of Omicron.

 A new subvariant of corona virus (Covid-19) has been found in Nepal. New subvariants of Covid-19 'KP.1' and 'KP.2' have been found in the genome sequencing done by the National Public Health Laboratory.

New variants of Corona were found through Alpha, Beta, Delta and Omicron. 'KP.1' and 'KP.2' are subvariants of Omicron.

Recently, new subvariants of Omicron 'KP.1', 'KP.2', 'KP.3', 'KP.4' were seen in African countries along with India, Singapore, America. Genome sequencing of 40 covid-infected samples was also done in Nepal, in which new variants were found in 42 percent.

Omicron was found in 2 samples (JN.1), no in 12 samples (BA.2), 17 samples (KP.1), one sample (KP.2) and 1 sample (KP.3) and (KP.4) respectively. .

Corona infection was confirmed in Nepal for the first time in January 2076 and he died due to infection on 4th June 2077. According to government data, about 1.2 lakh cases have been found so far and more than 12 thousand have died.

Nepal had to face four corona waves. Delta, Alpha, Omicron and other variants were seen in Nepal. Compared to other variants, Omicron is contagious but less lethal.

The first wave of corona infection started from January 9, 2076 to Chait 1, 2077. In order to prevent infection, the government imposed a lockdown for almost four months and emphasized on PCR tests. But the inadequacy of the health infrastructure and not taking the epidemic seriously did not stop the infection. According to the data of the Ministry of Health, around 275,000 infections were seen in the first wave. Out of which 3 thousand 14 people died.

As the first wave gradually became normal, political activities increased, and the general public did not follow the standards of public health, which led to the second wave. The second wave was more deadly. Due to the rapid increase in the number of infected people, the resources and equipment of the hospital could not cope, and many died due to the lack of oxygen. More than 8,000 people died in the second wave alone. In the second wave, the infectious virus that changed its form and spread did not only cause chronic diseases and sick people, but also seriously affected all age groups.

In the third wave, there was less damage than before. But due to the lack of coordination between the three levels of government, the transition got out of control. In the first and second wave, the government was unable to create a structure to separate the infected at the border even in the third wave.

However, due to the increased awareness among the general public, the increasing number of fully vaccinated people and the improvement in hospital infrastructure, it did not become more alarming.

In the fourth wave, although the number of infected people went up a bit, there was not much damage. According to the statistics of the ministry, around 1,300 people died in the third and fourth wave.

Since the number of people infected with the corona virus has decreased continuously in recent days, many have started to forget about it. But public health experts say that even though there are signs that it will not appear as an epidemic, the corona virus is circulating in the society in general.

How deadly is the new variant?

It is not yet certain how deadly the subvariants of Omicro 'KP.1', 'KP.2' are. However, experts say that even if it is considered less fatal from the preliminary study, senior citizens and chronic patients can be taken to the hospital.

The World Health Organization has also stated that although the infection is not fatal, the chronically ill and children should be careful. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Janak Koirala says Omicron is less lethal than other variants, so complications are reduced.

According to him, after 2022, Delta and Alpha were replaced by Omicron, and the death rate of people also decreased. The subvariant of Omicron caused a significant reduction in the number of pneumonias and deaths despite the occurrence of colds, fevers, and body aches.

"Because many people have been vaccinated or have been infected many times, there may not be more complications when the ability to fight the virus increases," said Dr. Koirala said, "But people who are chronically ill and have weak immunity should be careful."

According to public health experts, it is not yet possible to say that Corona has been completely controlled and eradicated. 'Corona stays like other diseases like cholera or measles. Be careful about this. It is a situation to prepare for a possible epidemic that may happen in the next few days", said Dr. Sharad Vant said.

Public health expert Dr. who is likely to have outbreaks from time to time because the corona virus has been established. Vant says. Even looking at the history of Nepal, cholera, tuberculosis, HIV, smallpox, influenza, measles and other communicable diseases have been seen, which are still bothering us from time to time.

According to experts, thousands of people die every year due to common cold-cough flu in Nepal. Even in this sense, public health experts say that the end of the corona epidemic cannot be predicted and the risk of new variants will remain.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Anup Subedi says that we should be careful as Corona is changing its form. According to him, there is always a risk of new variants of Corona. You have to be careful with Corona. There is a possibility that there will be a small or big wave when the variant changes in the days to come, said Dr. Subedi added, 'But the latest Omicron variant has not reduced the generality.'

Cold, pneumonia, respiratory problems in the last few days He said that since the number of people being admitted to the hospital is increasing, they should be careful about new variants.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun says that there have been signs that the new variant of Corona is gaining momentum since a month ago. From the preliminary study, although 'KP.1', KP.2' are considered less deadly, they have the ability to take the elderly and chronic patients to the hospital. Repeat.

"Since a few months ago, chronic patients and senior citizens have been admitted to the hospital due to infection," said Dr. Pun, "It seems that even the initial signs may affect the senior citizens more."

JA. Wan says that it is difficult to predict what kind of situation may occur because it is not known how many people are at risk due to the subvariant. "The data of other countries that can cause re-infection with the new subvariant will clearly show," said Dr. Pun told Online Khabar, 'Corana is constantly changing its form and creating a comfortable environment for its spread, so it is not possible to be sure what kind of situation it will bring.'

At present, the antigen test is being used in the hospital. But due to frequent corona infection, a certain level of disease resistance has been developed, so the chance of being positive in the antigen test is very narrow. Subedi says.

Dr. Dhulikhel Hospital, Head of Molecular and Genomic Sequencing Research Lab. Rajeev Shrestha advises additional vaccinations (boosters) as the complications are less in people who have been vaccinated against Corona.

"Only a small number have taken booster doses," he said.