Next 100 days critical in fight against COVID: Govt warns about 3rd wave

New Delhi: The government on Friday said the recent slow decline in the number of daily cases is a warning and noted that the next 100-125 days are critical, both for the system and people.

"We need to be cautious...we have seen that our decline has slowed down and this is a warning to us but the situation is under control. This can worsen. But it is not in our hands to not let it worsen. These are the same tools (COVID-appropriate behaviour) that are being talked about. If we use them, then the third wave may not hit," NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul said while addressing a press conference

Paul also noted that although the situation is currently under control, it can deteriorate if Covid appropriate behaviour is not followed.

He said that the question of the third wave was coming up because the population is still "very vulnerable" to the infection.

He warned that India still has not reached the stage of herd immunity and emphasised that the country don't want to acquire herd immunity through infections.

He took note of India's progress in terms of vaccines and added that nearly 50 per cent of our most vulnerable group, above the age of 45 years, is protected.

"If we all decide then there won't be any third wave. As vaccination drives pick up further...(in) three, four months, then there is a possibility that we will be in a safe zone. But the next 100-125 days are critical, both for the system and people. We have to remain cautious," he added.

Giving rise to fresh worries about the COVID-19 pandemic rearing its head again, the R-factor, which indicates the speed at which the infection is spreading in the country, has risen recently leading to a sluggish pace in the decline of active cases, while Kerala and northeast states have emerged as regions of concern, an analysis by researchers at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai.