'India To Hit By Third Wave Likely In August, May Not Be As Brutal As Second', Says ICMR Body

One major factor attributed for the third wave is the drop in immunity acquired from the first and second wave apart from early lifting of restrictions by states, leading to a fresh surge.

Image: PTI

New Delhi: The deadly viral disease that wreaked havoc in its second wave is far from over and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has indicated that the third wave is likely to hit India by the end of August.

A similar warning was issued by the World Health Organisation saying that the world was already in the early stages of the third wave of Covid-19.

In an interview with the news channel NDTV, Samiran Panda, Head of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research said the third wave is imminent and likely to be hit by end of August.

 “India is likely to be hit by the third wave of coronavirus at the end of August, although the intensity will be a little lesser than the second wave,” said Dr Samiran Panda, Head of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research.

However, the report quoted Panda as saying that the nationwide third wave will hit the nation, but it would be as high or as intense as the second wave.

What are the factors leading to the third wave?

While pointing out about the factors that could lead to the third wave, Panda said the first reason is the drop in immunity acquired from the first and second wave. “If that goes down, it could lead to a third wave," he added.

The second reason attributed is a new variant that can bypass the immunity acquired. He explained that even if the variant does not bypass immunity, it might have a tendency to spread faster.

The fourth factor is the early lifting of restrictions by states, leading to a fresh surge, as pointed by Panda.

On variants, Panda said both Delta and Delta Plus have swept the country and added that he was not expecting any more public health havoc from the Delta variant.

Earlier this week, the Indian Medical Association said that the third wave is “inevitable and imminent", pointing out that “in many parts of the country both the government and public are complacent and engaged in mass gatherings without following Covid protocols".

Earlier, on Thursday, the Centre raised concerns with the states on the issue of violations of Covid-19 norms in many parts of the country. The Health Ministry also noted that the people are taking predictions about the third wave about as seriously as “weather predictions".