Kaniza Garari
IndiGlobal Media Network
Increased SARS-Cov 2 virus activity in sewage is being noted in the samples that are collected across 40 laboratories in the country. Sewage screening is a part of the tracing of SARS-Cov 2 in the environment.
Shedding of viruses in the sewage is an indication of the number of people affected in the particular area or zone. These are then matched with the number of tests done and those numbers that are officially reported.
Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society, Bangalore explains, “The sample testing of sewage is showing an increase in the virus activity in April. But corresponding to that the numbers reported are less. This could be because the cases are asymptomatic. There are also mild cases due to which no testing is done. Having said that we are presently in a CATCH 22 situation, the cases are not very high but they are on the rise and for that being alert and cautious is important.”
While samples are collected all over India, Mumbai is the only city where the plan of sewage sampling is more structured and accurate. For this reason, Mumbai reports are taken as a benchmark to understand the evolving situation.
The number of new cases of Omicron BA.2 is slightly more than the 7-day average. This is being called by health experts a matter of concern.
Dr Nidhi Dhawan associated with Dr KK’s Heart Care Foundation of India states that the increase in cases in Delhi must be carefully watched over the coming weeks.
What is human protection against the virus?
Dr Nidhi Dhawan explains that SARS-COV 2 has brought the focus on mitochondrial health. It is the health of the cells and tissues and there is a growing body of scientific knowledge which is looking at the parameters of disease and evolving health conditions.
During the Pandemic parameters which help to build immunity have come into focus:
- Physical exercise and cardio-respiratory health and fitness are a preventive strategy
- Improved muscle health enhances anti-inflammatory response
- A sedentary lifestyle of too much sitting is evaluated as a pro-inflammatory lifestyle
- Mitochondrial or Cell/Tissue damage is due to genomic susceptibility, toxic metals, organic pollutants, alcohol, prescription drugs and other internal cellular damage factors.
Preventive Methods being adapted are:
- Plant antioxidants, nutraceuticals are found to improve cell reserve
- Intermittent fasting and calorie restriction are very strong triggers for good cell health
- Breathing exercises that improve the respiratory rate are also found to improve cell health
The focus on mitochondrial health is evolving as immunity has played a key role in survival. As researchers dig deep into it they find that cell health helps in living a better, energetic and more improved quality of life. It also helps to fight emerging and new viruses/bacteria.
With the new variants of SARS-Cov 2, the focus is now on learning more aspects of improving cell health in different population groups in the world.
