Third Covid-19 wave will be bigger than second in Maharashtra, says health minister Rajesh Tope

MUMBAI: Maharashtra public health minister Rajesh Tope on Sunday expressed fear that the predicted third wave of Covid-19 pandemic would infect around 60 lakh people across the state and medical oxygen requirement might increase to 4,000MT from current 2,000MT.
Tope, while speaking to the media at his hometown Jalna, said, "In Friday's video conference meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, instructions were given to be more alert now and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour. Crowds in public places should be avoided and no permissions should be given for public functions.”
The meeting with PM Modi was attended by senior officials from the Union health ministry and the preparations for the third wave were discussed.
“The Centre also directed states to be prepared for the third wave and keep infrastructure ready to tackle it,” Tope added.
“I would say that 20 lakh people were affected in the first wave and 40 lakh odd people were hit in the second wave. It is predicted that the third wave might infect 60 lakh residents. So, we should be ready by all means to curb the third wave," Tope said.
Maharashtra has so far reported 62.14 lakh Covid-19 cases and 1,27,031 fatalities.