Scientists in India have stated that the third wave of COVID-19 is inevitable. It will occur, but the timing cannot be predicted. The scientists had also warned of a second wave earlier. But they never thought it would so deadly. India is currently witnessing 4 lakh cases on a daily basis. The situation in the country is extremely unimaginable. More than 3000 people are dying every day.
COVID-19 Third Wave Inevitable
The third wave of COVID-19 is inevitable. K. VijayRaghavan, principal scientific advisor to the government claimed this statement. The exact timing cannot be predicted, but there will be the third wave. We have to be prepared at all costs. The government stated that the scientists had predicted a second wave too. But 4 lakh cases a day were not at all expected. Raghavan also said that the current wave was never imagined. Usually, a second wave is always smaller than the first wave. However, in India, the theory did not imply. India accounts for almost 50 percent of the world COVID-19 cases.
Lockdown is the Last Option
Despite the surge in cases, the Centre is not ready to impose a national lockdown. Instead, it has asked the states to implement strict measures and protocols. PM Modi in an address said that national lockdown should be the last option left. Other options should be looked upon to curb the virus spread. States can impose night curfew, weekend lockdown, etc. break the transmission chain. Besides that, vaccination should be the topmost priority. More and more peoples should get vaccinated. In case we have a third wave, vaccination will be the savior. However, it is surprising that despite having vaccines, India is seeing such a huge surge in infections.
The third Wave Can’t be Avoided, Preparations Needed
New strains of the virus are being held responsible for the explosion in the number of cases. Raghavan said that the new strains are being transmitted in the same way as the original ones. Vaccines will have to be updated against the new strain. Whenever we witness the third wave, we have to be ready for it. The government is doing its best in finding out new mutations. Viruses mutate due to climatic change. A change in the virus means a change in their properties. Some of them become more deadly, and some remain neutral. Most probably, B.1.16 strain in India is responsible for the sudden surge in cases. Scientists have mentioned that we cannot avoid the upcoming waves. But we can be prepared for it.
