Team Herald
VASCO: Former Indian Medical Association (IMA) State president and pulmonologist and Dr Anil Mehndiratta on Saturday said that incidents of asthma and tuberculosis were increasing following decline in the use of face masks.
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Dr Mehndiratta feared that Goa could witness spike in COVID-19 infection if people ignore the masks although there was a demand for a mask-free Goa.
Stating that since people were wearing masks and remained indoors so as to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, the cases of asthma had dropped but with the reopening of schools, people started moving in and around open areas without wearing masks and were thus exposed to dust and other factors leading to a significant rise in the asthma cases especially in the last two months.
Dr Mehndiratta has cautioned that asthma visiting public places were more prone for COVID-19 infection in addition to heat which had increased asthma cases in the last few days. He also advise asthma patients to start using reliever medications such as inhaler as cases were on a rise and inhalers help in preventing the asthma attacks in the long term.
Referring to surge in COVID-19 case in some States during the last fortnight, he warned that Goa may see the fourth wave of Coronavirus by June or July but it can be prevented if people continue to wear face masks in public places. If the mask usage is discontinued, then it could result in the fourth wave of Coronavirus and nobody can anticipate its severity.
Dr Mehndiratta recalled that the North Goa Collector had recently issued an order asking public to continue wearing face masks in public areas in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection.
