Theme:
- India is now facing the third wave of Covid. 1.85 lakh cases were reported on 11th January 2022. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science and Indian Statistical Institute (IISc&ISI) are predicting that India may witness 10 lakh cases per day by the end of January.
The present situation:
- India is facing Covid third wave due to the Omicron variant. This variant is highly infectious and was declared as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization on 26th Nov 2021. 70 to 80% of the Covid patients during the third wave are infected with the Omicron variant and some patients are infected with the Delta variant. Delta variant is still active in some regions.
- It is expected that the third wave, which was started in January 2022, will peak by the end of January. And it is predicted that the number of cases will start declining by mid-march 2022.
- Most of the cases during the Covid second wave (March 2021 to July 2021) were of the delta variant. The second wave was more severe than the first wave (March 2020 to December 2020). Even though the number of cases in the third wave is more than 1 lakh per day, as per the government data, only 5-10% of the infected patients are requiring hospitalization. Experts are saying that the omicron variant is much less severe than the delta variant.
- As the Omicron variant is highly infectious, it is predicted that the number of hospitalizations could double in the third wave when compared with the second wave. So, even though the omicron variant is less severe, it can still overwhelm the healthcare sector.
- With the lessons learned from the Covid second wave, the government is taking steps to increase the number of healthcare professionals and also to increase medical oxygen production.
- The upcoming assembly elections from 10th February to 7th March in five states are a cause of worry amid the third wave. The election commission imposed a ban on physical rallies till Jan 15th, 2022. There is a need to increase polling centres to prevent crowding. Moreover, there is a need to continue the ban on physical election rallies, because they were one of the reasons for the Covid second wave in India.
- Even the vaccinated people are being infected with the Omicron variant, but they are having mild symptoms when compared with unvaccinated people.
- Even though India missed the target of vaccinating the entire adult population by December 2021, around 90% of the adult population took at least one dose of vaccine. As of 12th January 2022, more than 154.50 crore people are vaccinated. Now, the younger population aged 15 to 18 years are also being vaccinated.
- The government has started giving booster doses for frontline workers and senior citizens.
- Several companies are continuing the work from home option for their employees. And some other companies are opting for a hybrid working model, by combining in-office and remote work.
- The Covid third wave is hitting the contact-intensive service sectors again. As businesses learned lessons during the previous waves, they are preparing for the increase in demand once the third wave declines.
Conclusion:
Covid third wave in India is witnessing more than 1 lakh cases per day due to the highly infectious Omicron variant. Even though it is much less severe than the delta variant, it can still overwhelm the healthcare sector due to the rapid increase in the number of cases. There is a need to finish the full vaccination of the eligible population as soon as we can. Moreover, strict rules should be implemented to maintain social distancing rules.
Your Turn…
What are your thoughts on Covid third wave in India? Express your point of view through the comment section below. And subscribe to our blog to read answers to the trending GD topics.
Photo by Yogendra Singh from Pexels
References:
- There must be no compromise on Covid-appropriate behaviour, especially in election rallies
- When will Omicron-led third wave decline in India?
- Most Covid patients during third wave are infected with Omicron: Dr NK Arora
Copyright @ Group Discussion Ideas.
Even though covid-19 third wave is not severe as compare to the 1st and 2nd wave but the rate of transmission is very high as compare to earlier wave. In january we are facing more no. of covid infected people because of this again health care sector undergoing stress full period and also it affect the economy, loss in efficiency, less workforce and many other things. To the risk of getting infected, one should take necessary precaution and follow the rules and regulation. And most importantly take vaccine if not taken.
About third wave we can not say that it is not harmful. It’s not over but we can say that we have no fear about that like first and second wave, but it’s my requst to follow government intractions.
Thank you
I think the third wave is not deadly as not a lot of people are facing the need to get hospitalized. Also, there are a lot of cases that have not been reported because of the fear of total isolation by the local governments. Also, because majority of the population is vaccinated, the severity of the virus has reduced. The symptoms are that of the common cold which can easily be cured by self isolation at home for 4-5 days. The after effects can be a bit daunting though like continuous pain in the throat which has been reported by a lot of people. so, it becomes necessary to undergo self test and consult a doctor.
You are right but we can not say like that because we did not face that problem so you don’t feel it’s nothing. You should always follow rule of government.
Thank you
According to me omicron cases will not rise as much that the delta variant cases did because now a large part of the population is vaccinated and moreover it is scientifically proven that a deadly virus when first comes into being it is very infectious and causes large scale destruction and mortality and as the time passes the mutation in the virus sometimes make it more deadly as we saw in second wave but in most of the times it becomes less and less dangerous as these mutations are negative and acting against the virus itself. We can site the example of common cold which when came into being was very deadly but now everyone of us catches cold atleast once a year and the link de goes on as it is
All people keep some pesions so they follow all rules and think positive so all are good omicron infection not a longer time ailness so don’t warry
There is no any tremendous situation as earlier. Don’t worry about omicron ,it will be vanish,just you will have to do one thing . you have to keep follow the COVID protocol.