Tom Wenselliers, a biologist at a Belgian university, says the Indian strain of the corona virus is probably the most contagious strain on the planet.
Tom Wenselliers was the first scientist to claim that the British strain of the virus was spreading faster than other strains. This claim was controversial at first but was later confirmed by other experts.
In an interview with the American radio network NPR, he said that the type of virus that emerges in India has immense potential for transmission and growth, it is similar to the British virus.
He said that the recent large gatherings, election rallies and failure to take precautionary measures have fueled this massive spread in India.
The NPR report pointed out that the situation in India had returned to normal during the winter and the number of daily cases had smoothed out.
However, in mid-February and early March, the situation changed dramatically and the virus spread like wildfire and now India is facing a dangerous second wave of the virus with more than 400,000 cases and more than 4,000 deaths being reported daily. ۔
On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative, Dr. Rodrigo, blamed India for failing to implement the SOPs, saying: That's the decent thing to do, and it should end there. "
No virus prediction model
Dr Yasmeen Ali Haq, UNICEF Representative in India, said in a UN report that it would take years to recover from the effects of the global epidemic.
"We are already seeing secondary effects, especially on children, the poor and the downtrodden," he said.
Dr. Yasmeen Haq pointed out that only 50% of children in India have access to online education, which means that 150 million school-going children do not have access to it, and we are concerned about child labor, child marriage and child trafficking. Also listening to stories.
The UN report warns that corona cases in India have a positive rate of 19%, which is very high. India has the same pattern of infection as Europe and the United States, but the levels are different.
Dense population is also an aspect, the report said, and it is difficult to match the level of increase in infection to the level of response.
'Virus risks reversing benefits'
Another UN report warns that a new lethal increase in South Asia could undo the global gains against Covid 19.
The report, prepared in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO, noted that infections were on the rise in South Asian countries, with 90 per cent of cases and deaths in the region being reported in India.
Pakistan is also facing an increase in 19 cases and in recent weeks the number of cases has increased rapidly and an average of 5,000 cases were reported daily for 7 days.
A report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) pointed out that the global epidemic has affected the health system in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is facing shortage of hospital beds, oxygen and other necessities.
The UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia said: "The scene we are seeing in South Asia is unprecedented. We are facing the real possibility that our healthcare system will come to a standstill. More lives will be lost.
The deteriorating situation in South Asia
According to the World Health Organization, 46 per cent of corona cases and 25 per cent of deaths reported worldwide last week were in India, while cases are also on the rise in the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The report described the situation in Nepal in particular as "dangerous", with infections rising 137 percent this week, the highest level since the outbreak.
The Nepalese government had imposed lockdowns in various parts of the country and suspended domestic flights to prevent the spread of the virus.
The statement stressed the need to implement precautionary measures in the region.
UNICEF said low vaccination levels in South Asia "also increase the likelihood of the virus spreading beyond its control".
