No case of COVID-19 mutant strain in Kashmir, vaccine doesn’t protect a person fully: Dr Naveed

SRINAGAR — Clearing air about the new COVID-19 mutant strain, Head of the Department at Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar and leading pulmonologist, Dr Naveed the Nazir, on Tuesday said that no signs of the new strain have been found in Kashmir valley as of now, KDC reported on Tuesday.

Dr Naveed said that no case of the new coronavirus mutant strain has been found in Kashmir valley yet, adding that from the tests which they have sent for genome sequencing, no one has shown mutant to date.

Upon asking about vaccinated persons getting infected from the virus, Dr Naveed clarified that it is not necessary that every vaccinated person is fully protected from COVID-19. “They too can get re-infected by the virus. Vaccination is effective in decreasing the rate of the severity of the infection and mortality,” he said.

He asserted that the number of positive cases and deaths related to COVID-19 has gradually increased since the past week in the valley, adding that if required precautions are not taken, there is a possibility of a heavy spike in the positive cases.

He added that there is no surety for how long the vaccine will be effective in humans and stressed upon strict adherence of COVID-19 related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) such as wearing of face masks, social distancing, avoiding public gatherings etc. (KDC)