Current Surge of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants in China Could Be Threatening as the Asian Games 2023 Flags Off in September: Foolproof Cautionary Measures Are Suggested

Ranjan K Mohapatra; Ahmed Mahal; Snehasish Mishra; Gaganendu Dash; Lawrence S Tuglo; Venkataramana Kandi

doi:10.7759/cureus.45591

Current Surge of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants in China Could Be Threatening as the Asian Games 2023 Flags Off in September: Foolproof Cautionary Measures Are Suggested

Cureus. 2023 Sep 20;15(9):e45591. doi: 10.7759/cureus.45591. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Authors

Ranjan K Mohapatra¹, Ahmed Mahal², Snehasish Mishra³, Gaganendu Dash⁴, Lawrence S Tuglo⁵, Venkataramana Kandi⁶

Affiliations

¹ Chemistry, Government College of Engineering Keonjhar, Keonjhar, IND.
² Medical Biochemical Analysis, College of Health Technology, Cihan University-Erbil, Erbil, IRQ.
³ School of Biotechnology, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, IND.
⁴ Sports, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, IND.
⁵ Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, GHA.
⁶ Clinical Microbiology, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar, IND.

Abstract

Despite normalcy having almost returned in the lives of people throughout the world post-coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the danger still looms over the fears of development and propagation of a newer SARS-CoV-2 variant. The movement of people globally has reached the pre-pandemic level, and this augmentation increased surveillance regarding the emergence of lethal SARS-CoV-2 variants. International sports events are among the potential avenues where the virus could cause serious impact. Therefore, the organization of such events should be planned and executed meticulously to avoid viral transmission and minimize the health effects of infections on the sportspersons and the local people. Additionally, there could be dissemination of the infections to the native countries of the participants and visitors while they return to their homes. Through this editorial, we prompt caution to the organizers and the event-hosting nation's administration regarding the potential threat and suggest measures to avoid any medical emergencies related to COVID-19.

Keywords: coronavirus disease-19 (covid-19); international sports event; medical emergency; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (sars-cov-2); viral transmission.

Publication types

Editorial