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COVID-19 may spread again in autumn and winter, says expert

COVID-19 may spread again in autumn and winter, says expert

Even though the number of fatalities is somewhat increasing, the coronavirus pandemic is no longer a top concern for the Turkish public as specialists warn against a potential surge in cases in autumn.
Wearing protective masks became a rare habit among the Turkish public after the mask mandate was lifted, in the most visible sign of a decline in coronavirus cases.
But the public might need them again, experts say, when the autumn, a usual high time for a surge in cases, arrives.

After a lull in the number of cases in the spring, the government gradually lifted all restrictions related to the pandemic but in the past few weeks, cases started climbing again, reaching more than 50,000 at times. Fatalities also rose, though not to levels seen in the past two years. The latest weekly statistics between July 25 and Aug. 1 show 406,322 cases in that period and 337 fatalities.

Professor Afşin Emre Kayıpmaz, a member of the Health Ministry’s Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board, says COVID-19 may spread again in autumn and winter, at a time when schools will be open and more people would spend time indoors, unlike summer when social distancing and spending time outdoors is easier. Kayıpmaz says people should adhere to their vaccination schedule and should not neglect booster shots.

Kayıpmaz noted that mobility during the lengthy Qurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) holiday last month triggered an increase in the number of cases. Though masks are no longer mandatory after the recommendation of the board, Kayıpmaz says people are advised to wear them in crowded, enclosed spaces, like mass transportation vehicles, elevators and hospitals.