New Delhi: As winters are approaching and the cold wave is intensifying, health experts believe that there has been a sudden increase in cases of viral infections, influenza and COVID-19. Dr Nikhil Modi, Principal Pneumologist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, said that the decrease in temperature increases humidity in the air, reduces wind speed and increases pollution, which contributes to various infections. Dr Modi said, “Clouds are formed due to drop in temperature, combined with pollution to form smog. This atmospheric condition can lead to various types of infections and many people have difficulty in breathing.” “The rise in cases is not limited to COVID-19, there has also been a rise in other infections like swine flu, influenza and H1N1. Hospitals are seeing a rise in patients with symptoms like cough, cold, fever and respiratory problems. …, causing decreased oxygen levels and pneumonia”, he said. Dr. Nikhil Modi stressed on preventive measures to avoid infection in winter. It is advisable to stay indoors whenever possible and keep the body properly covered, especially the head and legs, in cold weather. Consuming nutritious and hot food, maintaining cleanliness and wearing a mask while going out are important precautions. “While eating nutritious food, while eating hot food, avoid cleaning and always use a mask that you always have in your house. Because the mask will not only protect you from many viral infections, but it will also protect you from pollution”, Dr. . he said. .Modi. Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases, the doctor urged people not to ignore symptoms like cough, cold, fever, body ache, lack of mobility, mucus in throat and headache. The importance of testing to detect not just Covid but other viral infections was stressed. “If a patient experiences problems like persistent cough, cold, fever, body ache, runny nose, mucus in the throat, headache, etc., then do not ignore it and do not limit yourself to getting tested for corona only. Get tested for other viruses also. Because many times people get tested for Covid-19 only when they have cough, cold, fever etc. and do not get tested for other diseases and then their problems increase”, said the doctor. According to the Union Health Ministry, India recorded 774 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. According to official data, there have been two deaths in the country in the last 24 hours: one in Gujarat and the other in Tamil Nadu.