AIIMS Chief Randeep Guleria Said that India Might See Third Wave of COVID-19

With over 4 lakh cases and 3980 deaths in the last 24 hours in India- the second wave of COVID-19 is quite devastating and is affecting a majority of people. The total caseload in India due to the virus is escalating and the infection tally increased to 2,10,77,410 while the death toll increased to 23,01,68. The horrifying scenes of hospitals and cremation grounds have completely stunned the whole world.

Amid the crisis, the director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Dr Randeep Guleria said, “India may see a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic if the virus continues to evolve further and develops an immune escape mechanism.”

As per the AIIMS chief, both people and authorities have to understand a few things. The first is how to speed the process of vaccination so that people have the proper immunity? And second is how fast does the virus change? He further added, “If the virus evolves further and it develops an immune escape mechanism, i.e., the immunity that people have developed becomes less effective and you can get the infection again, then there is a chance that we may see a third wave of the pandemic. “

He also said that some states are doing night curfews and weekend shutdowns to tackle the crisis but that hardly works. In order to tackle the situation and to prevent the third COVID-19 wave, it is extremely vital to do the complete lockdown. A complete shutdown is an effective way to keep people inside their home and to safeguard their lives.

The sources asked the chief about the emergency and crisis in India that has overwhelmed hospitals and he said, “there are three things that need to be viewed. The first and foremost is improving the medical infrastructures. The second point that needs work is aggressively decreasing COVID cases and the third, rolling out of vaccines.” The key is to break the chain of transmission and this can only be achieved by breaking the physical contact between humans. If we successfully achieve this then there is a possibility of fewer cases.

Various researchers said that various strains are also circulated in various states. Some states have even experienced cases of double mutant variant (B.1.6.1.7). So, a keen eye on the mutants and deeply observing it can prevent the rise in the double mutant Covid cases. As per the scientific advisors “A phase three is inevitable, evaluating the high levels of circulating virus, but assessing the time scale of phase 3 is quite difficult. We should prepare ourselves for new waves.

Footnote

Staying at home as much as you can is the best way to safeguard yourself from the virus. Always follow the safety protocols while going out and make sure to register yourself for the vaccination.