Hyderabad: As Telangana, along with other Indian states, the second wave of gradually declines Covid infections, the continued circulation of the coronavirus and the threat of new and more transferable emerging variants has now created an opportunity to face a third Covid blowing in the coming months.
As Europe and the UK are already experiencing the first phases of the third wave due to alpha and beta variants of SARS-CoV-2, senior public health officials here agree that a similar wave, although the extent of the impact and timing is too early. to predict can be a reality across the country.
Against the background of a possible third wave of Covid infections due to the incessant spread of the virus and new mutations, people in Telangana can not afford to ‘drop their hats’ and succumb to the same mistakes that led to the current second Covid infection wave in the months of March, April and June, officials said.
A majority of epidemiologists, virologists and public health specialists, even in Telangana, clearly predict a third wave of Covid infections. However, virologists also agree that the intensity and extent of a possible third wave depends on several conditions, including the amount of vaccine and the resulting herd immunity at the community level. Covid appropriate behavior of the population, and more importantly how the new variants of concerns and mutations behave in the coming months.
By the time of a possible third wave, a large portion of the population consisting of elderly and high-risk individuals had already received Covid vaccines, which can certainly reduce the impact of such a wave.
At the same time, however, experts also point out that mutations can create a new variant that could possibly escape the immunity offered. Covid vaccines. As long as the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains in circulation, it will continue to replicate and mutate, leading to new variants, public health experts warn.
‘It is better to be prepared in advance for the next new waves Covid infections and take social measures accordingly. That is why the government has started investing in medical infrastructure, such as adding more oxygen lines, creating more diagnostic facilities and, above all, vaccinating high-risk populations, ”senior officials familiar with the matter said.
In a recent interaction with press persons, NITI Aayog member and well-known scientist, dr. UK Saraswat, said the third wave could hit India somewhere in September and October, giving enough time for states to set up vaccination efforts and individuals to prepare for such a possibility.
Source: Telangana Today