‘Third wave peak will not exceed 2nd wave cases’

The civic body has been conducting an aggressive vaccination drive to blunt the effect of the third wave. File pic

Although there is much ambiguity and limited factual information about the third wave, a serious warning has been given by experts nonetheless and the civic body has been taking necessary precautions. The third wave, thankfully, is predicted to not exceed the second wave's numbers, the BMC has said. Till it hits, the corporation plans to fully vaccinate as many citizens as possible.

Earlier, there were claims that with more waves, the virus would start getting weaker and even if the spread is high the impact would be lesser.

This, however, was not seen in the second wave, where following the unlocking of the first lockdown, citizens came out in large numbers and were thus severely affected Covid, many having lost their lives.

Civic officials have said that citizens must continue taking precautions irrespective of the strength of the third wave. File pic

With the situation out of control during the second wave, the civic body this time is relying heavily on vaccinations and comparatively faster growth of recoveries even if the spread is wide.

What experts tell BMC

Experts have informed the civic body that the peak of the third wave, if and when it comes, will be between the highest numbers of the first and the second wave. The highest numbers in the third wave may remain anywhere between 3,000 cases and 11,000 cases per day, said officials. Further, with daily cases in the city having been less than 1,000 for over a month and a half, the third wave is likely to hit the city around September or October, said officials. The central government, too, has advised that the third wave may come around October or November.

An official, not willing to be named, said, "Our preparations are as per the August/September warning which was given earlier. If the Centre's warning is true, then we are hoping that the maximum population is vaccinated as we are aggressively conducting inoculation. If the vaccinations are done, especially both doses, then the impact of the third wave will be minimal."

Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner, said, "The peak is expected to be somewhere between the highest number of the second wave and highest number of the first wave. It will not go beyond 11,000 cases in a day, according to experts. But citizens have to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour."

Aug
Month by which 3rd wave was earlier expected to hit