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Coronavirus will likely become seasonal once herd immunity is achieved, but not yet: Study

New Delhi
September 15, 2020

Coronavirus will likely become a seasonal virus with temperate climates once the herd immunity is attained, a new study said on Tuesday. It also said that till Coronavirus becomes seasonal, it will continue to spread across the seasons.

Herd immunity will be achieved when a significant section of the population becomes immune to the novel Coronavirus.

According to the review research, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, once the herd immunity is achieved, the effective transmission of the virus may drop substantially, making it more prone to seasonal fluctuations. Till then, Coronavirus will continue to cause outbreaks year round, the study said.

"Coronavirus is here to stay and it will continue to cause outbreaks year round until herd immunity is achieved," warned study senior author Hassan Zaraket from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon.

"Therefore, the public will need to learn to live with it and continue practising the best prevention measures, including wearing of masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene and avoidance of gatherings," Zaraket added.

According to the scientists, there could be multiple waves of Coronavirus before herd immunity is achieved.

Citing earlier research, they said other respiratory viruses similar to the novel Coronavirus -- SARS-CoV-2 -- follow seasonal patterns, especially in temperate regions.

They said influenza and several types of Coronaviruses that cause common cold are known to peak in winter in temperate regions but circulate year-round in tropical regions.