The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Friday, July 16, said that the third wave is likely to hit India by end of August. However, bringing relief, the top medical body also mentioned that it will not be as intense as the second wave.
“There would be a nationwide third wave but that does not mean that it would be as high or as intense as the second wave," Dr Samiran Panda, Head of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases at the ICMR was quoted by NDTV.
He also stated that four things could lead to the third wave. The first is an instance where the immunity that is acquired in the first and second waves could drop. If that goes down, it could lead to a third wave.
Also Read: Rising COVID Cases In Maharashtra, A Sign Of The Third Wave?
Secondly, a COVID-19 variant can bypass the immunity acquired. Another reason is that if the new variant may not be able to bypass immunity but might circulate fast in the population.
Lastly, if coronavirus-induced restrictions are lifted prematurely by states, it could lead to a fresh surge in infections.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, July 14, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had stated that the world is now in the early stages of a third wave, amid rising cases of COVID's Delta variant.
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