As at least one person is showing symptoms of either Covid-19 or seasonal flu at almost every house in the city, mid-day speaks with health experts who explain that symptoms of both are similar, and suggest ways to prevent further spread of the viruses. They stress on the need to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour even at home if someone has developed flu-like symptoms.

Covid spread in homes

“Overcrowding, poor barrier protection and cold weather have acted as triple whammy in some states. Crowding increases the exposure between humans as well as pets, leading to rapid transmission of Covid-19,” said Dr Subhash Hira, professor of Global Health at the University of Washington. He added, “Winter cold allows Coronavirus, which causes Covid-19, to linger in the air in the lower strata of the atmosphere. That spray of hanging virus readily enters the respiratory airways of humans and pets.”