Is there a chance that India will be hit by a third wave of the Coronavirus? We weigh in on the topic.

What professionals want you to know

India has experienced and survived two of the most devastating COVID waves since the emergence of the new coronavirus. While the first wave alerted us to the threats posed by the SARs-COV-2 virus, the second wave compounded the problems by assaulting our healthcare system, causing significant damage to our medical infrastructure, and claiming more lives than ever before.

 

With the appearance of the Omicron variation and a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the prospect of a third COVID wave has gained traction. While much is yet unknown, experts have spoken out and encouraged people to take precautions to avoid another unmanageable catastrophe.

 

Omicron instances are on the rise, raising the chances of another COVID outbreak.

 

Omicron, a novel coronavirus variant first discovered in South Africa and Botswana, has already been found in at least 95 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Denmark, and Norway.

In India, more than 200 cases of the new type have been reported in 12 states, predominantly in Maharashtra and the nation's capital, New Delhi. In just two weeks, the total number of Omicron cases has doubled, which is quite concerning.

Given the significant rise in COVID-19 cases, Dr Trupti Gilada, an infectious disease specialist at Masina Hospital in Mumbai, believes that a third wave caused by Omicron is possible.

 

"Cases with the omicron variant had a three-day doubling time. The omicron counts recorded from India are merely a small part of the total number of omicrons that exist. With the Omicron strain being three times more infectious than Delta, a third wave caused by Omicron is almost certain "she explains.

 

The National COVID-19 Supermodel Committee has forecasted that India would be affected by the third wave of coronavirus in February. The committee's chairman, Vidyasagar, stated that once the Omicron variety replaces Delta as the prevalent form, the daily coronavirus caseload in India, which is now approximately 7,500 illnesses, could rise. He also speculated that the third wave would be less severe than the second due to widespread immunity in the country.

 

 Experts believe the third wave will be less severe than the second.

"We are hoping that most of these cases will be minor because our population has stronger immunity than early 2020, either because of vaccination or past illness," Dr Gilada explains.

 

However, according to an infectious disease expert, the case fatality rate in India has been increasing in recent weeks, so we can't rule out the likelihood of serious infections and deaths.

 

The UK's Omicron death toll has risen to seven, while the United States has reported its first Omicron fatality, a Texas man who was unvaccinated.

 

Based on current evidence, the new variety may be milder than the prior strains. Negligence, on the other hand, is not an option.

 

Two doses of COVID vaccination may not be adequate, and booster shots may be required.

According to early studies, COVID-19 vaccinations used in most countries provide no protection against the extremely infectious Omicron form. The new variation could affect the efficacy of the initial two doses of Pfizer and Moderna, according to Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Chief Medical Advisor to the US President.

Existing vaccines, on the other hand, are said to protect against serious sickness or illness.

When combined with a third booster dosage, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were found to be effective in preventing Omicron infections.

Coronavirus vaccines developed by AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson Janssen, and in China and Russia, on the other hand, are believed to be ineffective in preventing Omicron infection. According to the experts, this could not only represent a serious threat to society's most vulnerable members, but also lead to the emergence of more varieties in the future.

 

Nonetheless, the demand for booster shots has skyrocketed over the world. India has not yet decided whether or not to allow booster immunizations in the country. However, there are continuous discussions about it.

 

Should India follow Europe's lead and strengthen COVID limitations in the face of the Omicron threat?

As the number of Omicron cases rises in Europe and around the world, coronavirus limitations have been restored to halt the spread. The increase of COVID-19 cases is scaring public health officials, implying that another infectious wave will attack people after the holidays.

 Several countries have increased COVID-19 restrictions, but India has yet to issue a nationwide ban.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan recently wrote an advise to all state chief secretaries and UT administrators, advising them to adopt measures such as night lockdowns and prohibitions on large crowd gatherings.

 Dr. Gilada highlights the importance of following COVID-appropriate behaviour, given the rapid increase in the number of COVID cases each day. "Universal masking, vaccine, and early testing are critical; now is the moment to redouble our efforts before another wave takes us down," she says.

 

How well prepared should we be for another coronavirus outbreak?

During the second COVID-19 wave, India's medical infrastructure faced unprecedented hurdles. Hospital beds are scarce, oxygen supplies are scarce, and particular medications are in low supply, all of which contribute to a crisis.

Furthermore, at this time, India's mortality rate reached a new high, making it difficult for individuals to cope mentally.

It is critical that our medical infrastructure has an extraordinary support system in order to deal with another terrible wave. Plans must be made to increase the country's oxygen capacity. Vaccination should be given first priority at all times. Booster injections will not be available until the bulk of the population has been vaccinated.