Follow measures not to risk 3rd peak in Turkey: Expert

We should not let our guards down during winter and engage in imprudent behavior to avoid the third peak of coronavirus, according to a Turkish medical doctor.

Dr. Afsin Emre Kayipmaz, a member of Turkey's Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board, said people should continue to follow measures especially during the winter months and noted there has been an increase in coronavirus infections in Turkey in the past four days.

Kayipmaz told Anadolu Agency that lockdown measures in the last couple of months are a major factor in reducing cases and deaths.

He said the vaccination process for social immunization in Turkey had already started but it was only performed on a part of the society and urged the country to continue to follow measures for a while until the immunity rate would rise.

Kayipmaz stressed that January, February and March were risky for different upper respiratory tract diseases, as well.

"During the winter months, people spend more time indoors, these environments can be badly ventilated, and when crowds gather in these environments, the disease finds the opportunity to spread itself."

He said some European countries are currently experiencing a third wave and some countries have already seen their first and second wave before Turkey, which was coming from behind in this case.

He stated that the UK had a more comfortable process in November, and then faced a third peak with the effect of a mutated virus and imprudent behavior.

Kayipmaz said Turkey may face a similar danger if measures are relaxed and said it may prolong time to return to normal.

He noted mutations have recently been seen in Turkey and that it was a descendant of B117, a mutation that allows the virus to be transmitted more easily.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit