NEW DELHI, Jul 16 (NNN-PTI) – Head of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, at India’s top health research body, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr Samiran Panda, said the third wave of COVID-19 is likely to hit India at the end of Aug.
Panda, however, said, there are chances that the third wave will be a mild one and not as intense as the second wave.
He made the revelations during an interview with a local television news channel.
“There would be a nationwide third wave but that does not mean that it would be as high or as intense as the second wave,” Panda told the news channel.
Panda listed four instances that could lead to the third wave.
“The first of these is an instance where the immunity acquired in the first and second wave drop. If that goes down, it could lead to a third wave,” he said. “Secondly, there could be a variant that can bypass the immunity acquired. Third – the new variant may not be able to bypass immunity but can circulate fast in the population. Fourth – if the restrictions are lifted prematurely by states, it could lead to a fresh surge.”
Earlier this week, the Indian Medical Association said, the third wave is “inevitable and imminent,” pointing out that “in many parts of the country both the government and public are complacent and engage in mass gatherings without following protocols.”
The federal government has also been warning people against crowding at tourist places and markets, and urging them to take third wave predictions seriously.– NNN-PTI