More miseries in store as Delta threats loom
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: June 25, 2021 -

WITH the state continuing to wage a grim battle against the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, it is obvious that onset of the third wave, likely to be triggered by the highly transmissible Delta variants ofthe virus, would cause irreparable damage to both life and livelihood.

A total of 9291 patients undergoing treatment at various hospitals, Covid care centres and community home isolation centres as of Wednesday indicate that the pandemic has already overwhelmed the healthcare sector and medical professionals.

As such spread of another wave of the pandemic in the state, amid reports of the most virulent Delta Plus variant detected in some major states and in over nine countries, is certain to be a huge challenge for both the policy makers and the healthcare service providers.

As stated by AIIMS Randeep Guleria, the new Delta Plus variant of the coronavirus is extremely transmissible, and even walking next to a Covid-19 patient who is a carrier of this variant without a mask may lead to the spread of infection.

With as many as 40 cases of Delta Plus Covid variant detected in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu, possibility of more infected but undetected people inadvertently spreading the infectious disease cannot be ruled out for these states and union territory have partially lifted the Covid restrictions.

Thus, Dr Randeep's advisory that following Covid appropriate behaviour will help to a great extent against the new variant is unlikely to have much bearing upon the commoners, who have been yearning to see return of normalcy.

As reactivation of economic activities has triggered brisk businesses and gathering of large number of people in commercial centres in different cities, onset of the third wave is imminent.

Delta, first identified in India, is estimated to be 60 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha variant first identified in the UK while the World Health Organization has confirmed spread of the Delta variant in 92 countries and cautioned the national governments that it is more lethal than other variants.

While destructive characteristics of the Delta variant could be comprehended from the cumulative number of infections and fatalities in India during the second wave of the pandemic, confirmation of prevalence of the deadlier Delta Plus variant should make all the state governments take serious note of the impending third wave and immediately swing into action to minimise its impacts.

Subsequent to detection of the Delta Plus variant, the Health Ministry has already alerted three states with highest cases of patients infected with the latest mutated virus and as such there is no reason why governments in other states, including Manipur, should wait for the centre's directive to take precautionary measures.

The state government too should be prepared beforehand to tackle any unprecedented situation rather than wait for the cases to swell. Among other preventive steps, the government should forego the home isolation strategy and focus on setting up institutional or community isolation facilities as much as possible.

The state government will also have to take up immediate containment measures in different districts and clusters along with intensifying widespread testing, prompt tracing and ensure wider vaccine coverage.