India Could Witness 'Inevitable' Third Wave Of Covid In 6 To 8 Months, Warns AIIMS Director

While underlining the need for a “mini-lockdown” in any region that experiences cases to rise above 5 percent, Dr.  Guleria stressed the need to be always careful and watchful. 

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New Delhi: The third wave of coronavirus is 'inevitable' and could hit the country in the next six to eight weeks, All Indian Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) director Dr. Randeep Guleria said on Saturday. "A third wave of the virus has been a topic of concern ever since the second wave hit the nation and Mr. Guleria’s statement just adds to that," he added.

"As we have started unlocking, there is again a lack of Covid-appropriate behavior. We don't seem to have learned from what happened between the first and the second wave. Again crowds are building up... people are gathering. It will take some time for the number of cases to start rising at the national level. Third-wave is inevitable, and it could hit the country within the next six to eight weeks... maybe a little longer. It all depends on how we go ahead in terms of Covid-appropriate behavior and preventing crowds," said the AIIMS director.  

While underlining the need for a “mini-lockdown” in any region that experiences cases to rise above 5 percent, Dr. Guleria stressed the need to be always careful and watchful. 

Unless we're vaccinated, we're vulnerable in the coming months," he added.

Further talking about the complicacy and seriousness of mutation of the virus has brought in the whole situation, he said “During the first wave (in India), the virus was not spreading that rapidly... all that changed during the second wave, and the virus became much more infectious. Now the Delta variant that's spreading is much more infectious. Faster spread is likely,"

The AIIMS Chief also highlighted the importance of further studies required to perfectly judge the new Delta-plus variant. He said that an efficient network of labs to study the data will be required, adding that if we want to succeed in our fight against the virus, that the frontier they need to develop.