Third Wave Of COVID In India Could Be As Severe As Second, Could Last 98 Days, Says New Report
India is still reeling from the devastation of the second wave of COVID-19, which saw the country recording well over 4 lakh cases for several days and over 4000 deaths, which was the highest so far the world has seen.
While the worst is believed to be behind us, as the country has seen daily COVID-19 infections drastically, there is little for the country to lower the guard.
Around the world, several countries have began reporting the third wave of COVID-19 and there is a fear that it is only a matter of time before India too see infections surge again.
It is still unclear when the third wave of COVID-19 will hit India, a report by the State Bank of India has said that the third wave could be as intense as the second wave and it could last for an average duration of 98 days.
What the report says
The SBI Ecowrap report which was published on June 1, cited international experience and suggested that the third wave won't be much different than the second wave.
However, the impact can be minimised if the number of serious cases are arrested by prioritising two things - improvement in health infrastructure and vaccination, it added.
"Average duration of third wave for top countries is 98 days and that of second wave is 108 days, with third wave peak as a multiple of second at 1.8 and second wave as a multiple of first at 5.2 (for India it was at 4.2)," the report said.
Children could be next vulnerable group
It also warned that children could be the next vulnerable group and that vaccination should be the key priority, especially for them.
Ą°With around 150-170 million children in the 12-18 age bracket, India should go for an advanced procurement strategy like that adopted by developed nations to inoculate this age-group,Ąą the report said.
The report comes as states have already started preparations for the third wave.
States have begun preparations
In Delhi, the government has set up a task force to suggest measures to protect children from the third wave. Most of the hospitals in the national capital are focusing on ramping up their ICU beds and facilities for children, amid fears that the third wave might be fatal for them.
In Maharashtra, amid reports that the third wave would be affecting children more than in the first two waves, Ahmednagar district has reported over 9,900 COVID-19 infections among minors in May.
Out of the 9,928 minors who contracted the viral infection, 6,700 were in the age group of 11 to 18, 3,100 were in the 1 to 10 years age bracket, while some were also below the age of 1 year.
Maharashtra is preparing for the third wave of COVID-19 in late July or early August.
