Medical experts in Kashmir have cautioned the public against various disease-carrying viruses, including common cold, flu and other respiratory illnesses which flourish in the sub-zero conditions of winter, interacting with the weakened immune system of residents resulting from the pandemic. Based on a recent epidemiological study, epidemiologist and assistant director at Kashmir Health Services Dr  SM Qadri and his team pointed out that the lack of outdoor activities due to the pandemic has weakened the immune system of a lot of residents, which is now further weakened by the cold, dry air of the winters. This has directly pushed hospital admissions in the state due to COPD exacerbations and other acute respiratory diseases, he said adding that; “Colds are more common in winter but the temperature isn’t the reason, it is because we spend more time indoors, close to the people and in closed spaces.”