According to a statistical model by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, the new variant of the coronavirus prevalent in the second wave is likely to be almost two to two-and-a-half times more transmissible than the previous variant.
Based on the findings of the research, after the relaxation in the coronavirus-induced lockdown last year, people started leaving their homes, public places became crowded again, shops, markets, offices became crowded as well. As the number of people travelling by public transport increased, COVID-19 began to spread rapidly again. The same caused the second wave of coronavirus. In Mumbai, mainly local trains and buses were crowded. Coronavirus spread in a similar way in the cities of Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and several other districts in Maharashtra, the researchers further added.
According to reports, the current strain of the coronavirus is 2 to 2.5 times more contagious than the strain found last year. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during March in Mumbai. However, the study also stated that fatalities with regards to COVID-19 are likely to reduce considerably in Mumbai by June 1 provided the vaccination drive continues without any hindrance and there is no onset of a new variant in India.
Meanwhile, according to the data shared by the state government, the second wave of the coronavirus has affected 2.3 lakh citizens of Mumbai and claimed 1,479 lives in April alone. In addition, on May 1, the city registered 90 deaths, the highest single-day toll in the year 2021.
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