As the highly mutated Omicron (BA.2) variant of COVID-19 causes a steady rise in daily COVID cases in parts of Asia and Europe, including China and South Korea, experts in India are constantly trying to understand whether the variant can cause a fourth wave in the country. Meanwhile, Maharashtra, the worst-affected state during previous waves in the country, has been placed on high alert, with the state government urging residents to strictly adhere to COVID protocol.
‘Do Not Relax Your Guard.’
In a statement to the media, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope stated, “We have received a letter from the Central Government to be on alert due to a surge in COVID cases across European countries, South Korea, and China.” As a result, our health department.
Dr. Pradeep Vyas, additional chief secretary (health), wrote to Maharashtra municipal commissioners and district collectors in a letter, “Some countries have recorded the highest number of new Covid cases in the last 24 hours since the pandemic began two years ago. Some new variants are thought to be fueling infections in Israel and other countries.”
Maharashtra Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope urged the general public not to relax their guard, saying, “Given the recent increase in coronavirus cases in South Korea, China, and Europe, we cannot afford to relax our guard just yet. We cannot afford to be careless. Everyone must continue to take precautions; that is the only thing we can do.”
Omicron (BA.1), a highly mutated version of COVID-19, was discovered in South Africa for the first time. The virus mutated further to form another contagious strain, BA.2, which is now the dominant variant worldwide. The variant has over 30 concerning mutations in its spike protein, allowing it to evade vaccine-induced immunity.
A team of researchers from IIT Kanpur predicted a few weeks ago that India will face the fourth wave of COVID-19 in mid-June or early July, with a peak in August. This is the same research team that predicted the second wave in India.
Meanwhile, India saw a single-day rise of 1,549 new coronavirus cases, taking the infection tally to 4,30,09,390, while the active cases have further declined to 25,106, the Union health ministry said on Monday.