Cannot rule out the possibility of Covid third wave in Telangana, says health official

"The intensity of the third wave will depend on how people take precautions such as masking, physical distancing and avoiding mass gatherings,” Dr M Raja Rao

Hyderabad: The second wave of Covid-19 has weakened considerably in Telangana but that does not rule out the possibility of a third wave in the coming weeks or months. A new variant that is far more severe than the delta variant and the lack of Covid-appropriate behaviour are enough to trigger a new wave.

“Admissions of Covid positive individuals and those needing oxygen and ventilator support have gone down considerably everywhere in the State. The peak that we had witnessed in April/May is definitely not there. However, there is a need for people to continue to take precautions and avoid the third wave,” says Superintendent, Gandhi Hospital, Dr M Raja Rao.

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The second Covid wave and the resultant impact on the healthcare system was a great learning experience, he said.

“I believe that people might have learnt a lot from the severity of the second wave. The intensity of the third wave will depend on how people take precautions such as masking, physical distancing and avoiding mass gatherings,” Dr Rao said.

Gandhi Hospital currently has 400 Covid patients and another 180 patients with Mucormycosis, which is less when compared to April-May-June when positive cases were between 1,300 and 1,400 patients. Now, at the hospital, out of the available 619 ICU beds with ventilator, 518 beds are occupied while 101 are vacant. Of the 600 oxygen beds, 105 beds are occupied while 495 are vacant.

“Almost all the pandemics come in the form of waves, and we should not be surprised if there is a third wave. However, I think that subsequent waves will not be as severe as the second wave. Following Covid-appropriate behaviour and getting vaccinated are vital,” Dr Rao said.

He said there is no evidence that a large number of children might get affected in the third wave.

“Anybody who is not following Covid-appropriate behaviour could get infected with Covid-19 and not just kids. Even individuals who have been vaccinated might test positive as we have witnessed during the second wave. However, such people might not need hospitalisation. Taking precautions is the best way to avoid the third wave,” Dr Rao added.

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