COVID-19 Third Wave Could Peak In India In October, Could Affect Kids More, Experts Tell PMO

Even as most of the country is busy unlocking and going back to lives as normal, an expert committee under the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has warned that the third wave of COVID-19 is imminent.

According to a report submitted to the PMO, the third wave of COVID-19 in India could peak in October.

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Based on the increase in COVID-19 R-value, the report said that the third wave is already here.

Facilities not ready, yet

One of the biggest concerns the expert committee has pointed out is the lack of preparedness of ¡°paediatric facilities in India, including doctors, staff, equipment like ventilators, ambulances, etc.

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Various previous reports had suggested that the third wave could affect kids more than in the two previous waves.

Vaccinate vulnerable children

The expert committee also has suggested the same and has urged prioritising vaccination among children with co-morbidities and a special focus on those with disabilities.

Experts have expressed concern about 82% shortage of paediatricians in primary health centres and 63% vacancies in community health centres (the data cited from a parliamentary standing committee). ¡°The situation is already dire, and might worsen due to lack of adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB), insufficient medical facilities and lagging vaccination,¡± The Times of India, quoting the report said.

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Don't step out

Last week, Dr Randeep Guleria, the Directors of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had asked people to continue following Covid appropriate behaviour to avoid any possible spike in the daily caseload.

¡°Avoid stepping out of the house unless absolutely necessary. Whenever you step out of the house, wear a mask. Keep washing your hands with soap. After touching anything, definitely use sanitiser. Health is important now¡±, he had said.

Though it has been widely accepted that the third wave of COVID-19 is inevitable, experts are divided when it comes to the severity of it.

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While some have suggested that it could be as bad as the second wave, others have said that it will be much less devastating.

Vaccination reduced intensity of 3rd wave

Prof Manindra Aggarwal of IIT Kanpur claimed that the possibility of a third wave of corona infection is now negligible.

Releasing his new study based on his mathematical 'model formula', he has said that vaccination has further reduced this risk.

"The vaccination has ensured the reduction in the infection to a great extent. He said that states like UP, Bihar, Delhi are on the way to become almost infection free. However, the active cases in the country will remain close to 15,000 till the month of October as there will be infection in the Northeastern states and also Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala," he told reporters.

Prof Agarwal claimed that by October, the number of cases in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh will reach unit digit.