Will the festive season trigger the third wave? | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Will the festive season trigger the third wave?

ByVertika Kanaujia
Oct 13, 2021 07:47 PM IST

As we begin the festivities the most pertinent question being asked is, is the worst over for India and has Covid-19 now turned into an endemic, as being suggested by few experts or is it the lull before the storm?

It's festival time in India and despite the Covid cloud public places are buzzing across the country. A decline in cases, with numbers hovering around the 20,000 mark and a surge in vaccination, crossing the 900million mark, has boosted confidence. However, the policymakers have been sending warning signs, alerting of an imminent third wave, that may see a sporadic rise in cases. Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR, warned that revenge tourism may trigger the third wave, with cases surging by over 40%. 

ICMR warned that revenge tourism may trigger the third wave, with cases surging by over 40%.(AFP)
ICMR warned that revenge tourism may trigger the third wave, with cases surging by over 40%.(AFP)

As we begin the festivities the most pertinent question being asked is, is the worst over for India and has Covid-19 now turned into an endemic, as being suggested by few experts or is it the lull before the storm? hindustantimes.com Editor- Audience Engagement, Vertika Kanaujia, speaks to eminent public health experts - Dr. Raj Shankar Ghosh, Senior Advisor, Vaccine Delivery, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Dr. Anant Bhan, Researcher – Global Health, Bioethics and Health Policy and Dr. Ratna Devi, Chair of the Board of Trustees, International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations, to help us decipher the current situation and the road ahead.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Talking about fears of the much-touted third wave, Dr Bhan said, “during the festive season adherence to public health measures is drastically going down. It is likely that there would be more possibility of exposure."

"Schools and colleges are opening, offices are calling employees back and markets are flooded with people, this is a cause for worry. However, vaccination has been the saving grace. It is likely that the third wave will not be as severe. We can expect upward trends but not a significant surge," he added.

Globally, and in India too, overconfidence has been observed among the youth over a falsely presumed invulnerability, that clubbed with vaccine production concerns, can India meet its December deadline for full vaccination coverage?

Dr Ghosh believes, ‘considering the current covid vaccination coverage pace India should be in a position to vaccinate its entire population by the first quarter of 2022.’

As we stare at a third wave that may or may not come, schools are set to open. Even as we understand that school reopening has become a necessity now - but does the benefit of opening schools outweighs the risks? 

Dr Ratna Devi said, “benefits, especially of mental health, far outweigh the risks because children are supposed to be in the playgrounds and not confined to homes. Several schools have opened but there have been no major concerns reported as comorbidity burden on children is far less.”

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Vertika Kanaujia is Editor Audience Growth at Hindustan Times and oversees the website’s coverage of business news, health, technology and internet culture. She is a Chevening Scholar and a Columbia Journalism University Fellow. Vertika has been a journalist for more than 18 years. After starting her career as a business journalist in TV she has worked with various leading news channels. You can email her at vertika.kanaujia@htdigital.in.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On