Third Wave of Corona to Hit Maharashtra in December? Health Minister Rajesh Tope Issues Stern Warning | Read Here

Opposing the view of health experts, Maharashtra’s health minister Rajesh Tope said that the 3rd wave of COVID 19 may hit Maharashtra in December. However, it may not be as vigorous as the 2nd wave of COVID 19 if the vaccination drive goes are at a swift pace.

Rajesh Tope said in an interview with News18 that the 3rd wave of COVID-19 is most likely to come to Maharashtra this December. Due to this, the state government are recommending vaccinating children of age 12-18 as soon as possible.

On the other hand, many healthcare professionals in Maharashtra are suggesting a booster shot of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus for healthcare and frontline workers. Dr Gautam Bhansali, a consultant physician of Bombay Hospital said that the number of antibodies in people who have taken the vaccine 6 – 8 months (mainly frontline workers) ago are declining, hence a booster shot is necessary.

AIIMS director Randeep Guleria said that the declining number of COVID 19 cases suggest that the chances of a 3rd wave are also declining. He said that the 3rd wave might not be as big as the 2nd one and the disease will slowly become endemic. He stated this in the book launch of Going Viral: Making of Covaxin to the Indian Express.

Agreeing with Randeep Guleria, several other healthcare experts said that the impact of the 3rd wave will be mild and with vaccinations and better hospital equipment, the situation can be handled. Gautam Menon who is a professor at Ashoka University in Sonepat said that a comprehensive vaccination campaign means that more people are protected against the virus and eventually hospitalization and death.

On Tuesday, Maharashtra recorded 766 new cases and 19 deaths of COVID 19 in the last 24 hours. The number of active cases stays below 10,000 for the 3rd day. Maharashtra’s caseload increased to 66,31,29. Maharashtra reported 8 new deaths and 656 new cases of COVID 19 on Monday which is the lowest one day figure since April 2020.

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