Like flu, Covid-19 likely to become a seasonal illness: DAK
Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Wednesday said Covid-19 will likely become a seasonal illness similar to flu that peaks in fall and winter.
“Covid-19 pandemic will end at some point, but the virus will continue to circulate in the human population,” said DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
He said, however, the impact of the virus in terms of deaths, illness and the need for social isolation will lessen. Cases will wax and wane over time. Outbreaks will pop up here and there, he said.
“Covid-19 will become yet another infection joining many other diseases that humanity has learned to live with. We will probably be living with this virus for the rest of our lives,” he added.
Dr Hassan said Covid-19 could transform into a milder illness that can be managed seasonally like the annual flu.
He said, the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic could offer a clue about the course of Covid-19, he said.
The DAK President said the H1N1 pandemic was over in about 16 months, but the virus did not disappear. Instead it has turned into a seasonal flu strain that circulates all year, and peaks during winter.
He said, Covid-19 could ultimately become another seasonal respiratory virus, like the four other coronaviruses that cause a sizable proportion of common colds.
UNI QAB
