Amid predictions of a third wave, there is a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases in at least 67 districts in India. It is worrying. While numbers are not alarming as the situation was in April and May, the danger of the situation getting out of hand at some point in future remains. It calls for strict adherence to preventive measures and an increase in vaccination.
Contemporarily the spread in India may be limited to pockets like Kerala and some northeast parts, there is need for not letting down the guard to prevent a spike as was witnessed earlier this year.
Previously the governments had started micro management of the pandemic, calling for localised efforts. A similar focused approach is needed even now if the cases spike in any area.
There is enough evidence that the current crop of vaccines limit the number of people falling gravely ill.
All districts continue to be in green zones as per the cardinal Indicators for assessing the COVID 19 situation. But complacency could prove detrimental. As has been underlined by the Lieutenant governor, better crowd management is imperative to break the spread chain. The concerned officials need to discharge their collective responsibility for enforcing Covid Appropriate Behaviour in workplaces and in public, especially in crowded places.
Efforts must be stepped up to prevent any probable future surge, especially predicted 3rd wave.
The spurt in infections in several parts of India testifies to the perils of complacency. There are, however, ample reasons why the new wave of infections shouldn’t stoke pessimism. For one, much more is known about the virus in contemporary times than last year when governments across the globe were forced into one of the stringent lockdowns. Fortunately also, there hasn’t been an alarming surge in fatalities. The next wave may not be as severe as the initial one amid availability of the vaccine. There is, however, there is need for giving serious thought to opening up vaccination to all age groups in areas.
It is important to recall that while the pandemic is ebbing, medical experts continue to warn about the unpredictable ways of the virus. And, when India’s caseload began to dip late last year, they had urged people to not let their guard down. Unfortunately such warnings did not seem to have struck a chord for large sections as people seem impatient to return to normal social life.
One of the most crucial elements that helped control the prior wave was aggressive testing, contact tracing and treatment. All these efforts are worth it if another wave can be avoided.
