COVID-19: Early Signs Of Third Wave In Some States, Says ICMR Official

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New Delhi: Most experts had said that a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is inevitable in India. There was, however, a difference in the timing predicted about the onset of a fresh surge of coronavirus infections.

According to the head of ICMR’s Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases Dr Samiran Panda, the third wave may already have arrived in some states.

“We shouldn’t think that we have two or three months… there are early indications (of third wave) in some states that didn’t experience an intense second wave. Many states imposed restrictions early, learning from Delhi and Maharashtra. So, they didn’t see many transmissions,” Dr Panda said on Monday.

“If during festivities, we don’t observe COVID-appropriate behaviour, if mass gathering happens, those would serve as super spreading events,” he warned during an interaction with Mirror Now.

Also Read: 14,000 Daily COVID Cases Likely In Odisha During Third Wave; Children At Risk

Dr Panda said that the third wave will be much lesser in intensity compared to the second wave, but advised states which didn’t see an intense second wave to ensure a better vaccination coverage.

“They shouldn’t lift restrictions prematurely,” he said.