The Indian Medical Association (IMA) stated on Sunday that the community spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus has started, adding that the situation is 'pretty bad'.

"This is now an exponential growth. Every day the number of cases is increasing by more than around 30,000. This is really a bad situation for the country. There are so many factors connected with it but overall this is now spreading to rural areas. This is a bad sign. It now shows a community spread," Dr. V K Monga, the Chairman of IMA Hospital Board of India said.

He said that the pandemic is now spreading to towns and villages where it will be very difficult to control the pandemic.

"Cases are penetrating down into towns and villages where it will be very difficult to control the situation. In Delhi, we were able to contain it, but what about interior parts of the country in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Madhya Pradesh (which may be the new hotspots)?""All these issues are very important and the state governments should take full care and seek help of the Central government to control the situation," Monga added.

He further said that the virus can be contained in two ways--1. 70% of the population contracts the virus, and immunity is achieved 2. Immunisation through vaccination.

"There has to be phases of trials then human trial, then efficacy and side effects. Also, importantly it has to be seen how long this immunity will last because most of the patients are unable to go beyond three months of immunity,"  Monga said.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) stated on Sunday that the community spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus has started, adding that the situation is 'pretty bad'.

"This is now an exponential growth. Every day the number of cases is increasing by more than around 30,000. This is really a bad situation for the country. There are so many factors connected with it but overall this is now spreading to rural areas. This is a bad sign. It now shows a community spread," Dr. V K Monga, the Chairman of IMA Hospital Board of India said.

He said that the pandemic is now spreading to towns and villages where it will be very difficult to control the pandemic.

"Cases are penetrating down into towns and villages where it will be very difficult to control the situation. In Delhi, we were able to contain it, but what about interior parts of the country in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Madhya Pradesh (which may be the new hotspots)?""All these issues are very important and the state governments should take full care and seek help of the Central government to control the situation," Monga added.

He further said that the virus can be contained in two ways--1. 70% of the population contracts the virus, and immunity is achieved 2. Immunisation through vaccination.

"There has to be phases of trials then human trial, then efficacy and side effects. Also, importantly it has to be seen how long this immunity will last because most of the patients are unable to go beyond three months of immunity,"  Monga said.