COVID-19: Two doses key to protect from Delta: Expert

• People asked not to get confused with AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD as both are of the same brand
• There is no issue in getting any kind of vaccine as far as people are keen to get both doses

By Sheain Fernandopulle

-It is of utmost importance to get both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in order to protect from the dreaded and highly contagious Indian variant known as Delta, Sri Jayewardenepura University’s Immunology and Molecular Medicine Department Director Dr. Chandima Jeewandara stressed.

Post COVID-19 condition is the situation where a patient continues to have symptoms after recovery. 
Participating in WHO’s Science in 5 programme with Vismita Gupta- Smith, WHO lead- clinical management Dr. Janet Diaz said chest pain, trouble speaking, anxiety, depression, muscle aches, fever, loss of smell and taste are among other symptoms in post-COVID-19 condition as described by patients. 

It is a programme for WHO experts to explain the science related to COVID-19. 

She said there were reports about this condition lasting for three to nine months in different instances, but more studies should be done to understand when these symptoms would resolve. 

Commenting on treatment, she said care should be multidisciplinary in nature involving primary caretaker, relevant specialists, rehab professionals, social care workers, psychosocial workers, and mental health professionals. 
Asserting that the reason for the development of such symptoms is yet to be studied, she said specific treatment could not be found until that was done. She said that prevention of the disease was the key by mask-wearing, cleaning hands and physical distancing.  

• There were reports about this condition lasting for three to nine months in different instances, but more studies should be done to understand when these symptoms would resolve
• It is a programme for WHO experts to explain the science related to COVID-19