Covid likely to surge, people should follow guidelines: Soumya Swaminathan
Trichy: People should follow Covid guidelines as the virus is likely to stay and surge in months, chairperson of MSSRF Chairperson and advisor to Union ministry of health and family welfare Dr Soumya Swaminathan said on Monday.
Soumya Swaminathan participated in the launch of the livelihood support programme for small-scale fishermen at MSSRF Fish For All Research and Training Center in Poompuhar, Mayiladuthurai district.
Responding to questions from reporters about the spread of Covid-19, Soumya Swaminathan said, "There are possibilities of Covid-19 surge every six to eight months. The virus is here to stay with us, just like the common cold.
People should be careful and follow Covid-19 guidelines."
Stating that the virus spreading among people is likely to cause mild effects, Soumya Swaminathan said, "Elders and those with underlying health conditions need to be more careful, however."
On Covid vaccination, Soumya Swaminathan said the vaccines were safe and are less likely to cause side effects any more. "Those who had contracted Covid earlier, may have reactions to comorbidities," she added.
Earlier, MSSRF began an initiative for five villages in Mayiladuthurai and Cuddalore districts. Head of the centre, S Velvizhi stated that training and development activities would be conducted for 1,500 families in the next three years.
Addressing MSSRF's upcoming projects, Soumya Swaminathan said, "We are starting new research on the impact of prolonged heat and humidity on the health of fisherfolk in coastal districts."
She added that MSSRF is developing an early warning tool integrated with artificial intelligence for fisherfolk to warn them about the health impact.
She further stated that fisherfolk have a high possibility of high blood pressure and diabetes due to exposure to salty wind and consumption of salty food, according to surveys. "People should have a check-up once a year and keep their blood pressure under control," she said.
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