India’s current COVID-19 wave could continue till May: State Bank Of India

India is witnessing an increase in the daily new cases of novel coronavirus since February, "clearly indicating a second wave", according to a report by State Bank of India, reported NDTV.

The report said, the second wave may last up to 100 days, when counted from February 15.

“Based on trends till March 23, the total COVID-19 cases in India in the second wave is expected to be around 25 lakh.”

The report also stated that localised restrictions have been ineffective and the only hope is mass vaccinations to win the fight against the virus. The Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday that the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 52.1 million.

"India is witnessing a second wave of infection beginning February 2021, with daily new cases rising again. Pan-India total cases in the second wave expected in the order of 25 lakh (based on trends in data till March 23). Considering the number of days from the current level of daily new cases to the peak level during the first wave, India might reach the peak in the second half of April," the 28-page report says.

“Business activity index, based on high frequency indicators, has declined in the last week. The impact of the lockdown or restrictions imposed by certain states might become visible next month,” said the report

The SBI report also suggests that increase in the pace of vaccination across states. Increasing daily vaccination from the current 34 lakh to 40-45 lakh per day would mean that inoculation of citizens over 45 years can be completed in four months from now.

India today recorded 53,476 fresh coronavirus cases in a day, the biggest single-day jump in over five months, data from the Union Health Ministry showed.

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