Third wave of COVID to hit India soon? Here's what experts say

Just recently the Supreme Court of India warned Centre to brace themselves for a third wave of COVID-19. The warning comes even as the country is struggling with a ravaging second wave. The court also said that it is important to create a buffer stock to prevent panic among the public. The apex court asked the Centre to devise a pan-India approach to prepare for the third wave. Top health experts are worried that the third wave could be even more dangerous and that we need to prepare ourselves for it more than ever. Here is everything we know about the third wave so far.

Third wave is 'inevitable'

After the second wave of coronavirus infections, it is "inevitable" that India will also see a third wave, said Prof K Vijay Raghavan, the principal scientific advisor to the central government. Addressing a press briefing on India's Covid-19 situation, Prof Raghavan said while the third Covid-19 wave is inevitable in India, the time when it will occur and its scale is not certain at present. In the wake of the changing nature of variants, we must be ready for the third wave, he said. "We can't predict the timing, but it seems inevitable. We must prepare ourselves and be ready for it."

Speaking to India Today TV, Dr Giridhar Babu, epidemiologist and professor at the Indian Institute of Public Health in Bengaluru said the third wave is likely to hit India around November end and early December this year.

2021 virus becoming more efficient

The virus in 2021 became much fitter and efficient as it is trying a "hit and run tactic" to enter a human body, the government's principal scientific advisor K Vijay Raghavan said. In the coming days, the virus will become more efficient as immunity, vaccinations are building pressure on the virus.

Covid appropriate behaviour, safe practices and vaccination

According to the experts, the best time to change behaviour towards the infection is now. There are lesser chances. People need to adapt Covid appropriate behaviour and maintain COVID norms followed by vaccination.
The virus can go from human to human, said Vijay Raghavan. Masks and distancing are critical and most effective.  Personal behaviour such as masks, social distancing, hygiene, tracking and containment can stop the virus transmission chain.

Third wave in these states already?

Maharashtra may witness a third wave of the infection by July-August, said health minister Rajesh Tope.
The grim prediction by Tope came on a day when Maharashtra recorded 66,159 fresh coronavirus cases and 771 fatalities.
Same way, chief minister Vijay Rupani on Friday also said that Gujarat was gearing up for the third wave of Covid-19 by putting into place necessary arrangements which include new oxygen plants. He also added that the state is "moving forward" in order to ensure that "Covid-19 would lose the battle in Gujarat".

Third wave to hit children badly: Experts

The Supreme Court told the Centre on May 6, "Prepare today to handle stage 3 of Covid. Children may be affected during the third wave, ensuring vaccination of children. Bolster your infrastructure to deal with the third wave, rope in NEET aspirants and nurses."
The government must expedite paediatric vaccination roll out otherwise the anticipated third wave of COVID-19 will catch the young population under 18 years of age and it would be a 'very very serious' form of COVID-19, said experts.

The Third wave may not happen if

It's possible that India may not see a third wave of coronavirus infections, but for that to happen, we will have to take strong measures and implement them effectively on ground, the government said.. Addressing a press briefing of the Union health ministry, Dr K Vijay Raghavan, government's principal scientific advisor said, "If we take strong measures, the third wave may not happen in all the places or indeed anywhere at all. It depends much on how effectively the guidelines are implemented at the local level, in the states, in districts and in the cities everywhere."