Experts Say India Past Covid 19 Peak; Here’s Why You Should Not Ditch The Masks Yet

An expert panel headed by IIT Hyderabad professor has said that India has hit the Covid 19 peak. Here's what it means.

(PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist)

New Delhi: According to a panel of experts, India has crossed the COVID-19 peak. A government-appointed body of experts said that the coronavirus pandemic has peaked in India and can be controlled through strict precautions. Headed by IIT Hyderabad professor M Vidyasagar the committee also said that the pandemic is likely to become less widespread by February 2021. "If all protocols are followed, the pandemic can be controlled by early next year with minimal active cases by February end," the panel was quoted by NDTV. An infection is supposed to have peaked if the number of cases reaches the highest number in a state or country, after which the rate of infection begins to slow. India has been witnessing a drop in cases for the past few days and on Saturday the Union Health Ministry said that for the first time in one-and-a-half months, the number of active cases of Coronavirus fell below eight lakh and account for merely 10.70 percent of the total case. “According to data, if all protocols are followed, the pandemic can be controlled by early next year with minimal active symptomatic infections by the end of February, 2021,” says Prof Vidyasagar who was part of the study in media reports. But according to the NITI Aayog  member VK Paul says that a second wave during winters can’t be ruled out. During an interview with PTI, VK Paul who is a member of the NITI Aayog said that the country can’t rule out second wave just yet, with the onset of winters and the festive season. He heads the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC). He says in European countries which is seeing a resurgence in cases as the winter is approaching, ruling out the second wave in India is not possible. About the vaccine he told PTI that once the COVID-19 vaccine is available, there will be enough resources to deliver as well as make it accessible to the citizens. According to the report, he said "In India, the new coronavirus cases and the number of deaths have declined in the last three weeks and the pandemic has stabilised in most of the states. However, there are five states (Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal) and 3-4 Union Territories (UTs), where there is still a rising trend," Paul said. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website, there are 772055 active cases, 114610 have lost their lives to the virus and 6663608 have recovered or discharged.