CM Uddhav Thackeray has asked officials to be prepared to deal with any situation in terms of availability of medicines, beds, and other resources. This came after the health department warned that Maharashtra could see double the cases in the next wave of infections.
The Maharashtra Covid-19 task force and medical experts have warned that the state could see double the number of active cases in a possible third wave of the novel coronavirus if appropriate behaviour is not followed.
“The Delta Plus variant could stoke a third wave in Maharashtra. It could spread at double the rate,” said an official during a presentation made at a meeting attended by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday.
The task force members also warned that Maharashtra could enter the third wave before coming out of the second if Covid-19 protocols aren’t followed. Experts said sero-survey and vaccination on a large scale need to be given priority and the protocols and restrictions should be strictly followed.
Following the warning of the state Covid task force, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday directed health agencies to maintain adequate stock of medicines and equipment in the state with focus on rural areas.
The ‘Delta Plus’ factor
At a meeting to review the preparations for the third wave of coronavirus, experts said the highly virulent “Delta Plus” variant could stoke a third wave in Maharashtra.
“The number of active patients could reach up to eight lakh, while 10 per cent out of them could be children,” said the presentation made by the state health department, as per an official release.
Taking into consideration the danger of the new ‘Delta Plus’ variant, experts said the third wave may see double the present cases as they asked people not to let their guard down.
The health department mentioned that during the first wave in the state, there were 19 lakh patients. This figure crossed 40 lakh in the second wave. While 517 patients died on September 13, 2020, 1,110 deaths were seen on April 26.
The health department also noted that the weekly positivity rate on September 9, 2020 was 23.53 per cent, while in the second wave the highest positivity rate was on April 8 at 24.96 percent.
‘Keep following Covid-19 appropriate behaviour’
Post his meeting with the state Covid-19 task force, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray asked officials to be prepared to deal with any situation in terms of the availability of necessary resources.
“If we do not follow Covid-19-appropriate behaviour, we will be hit by the third wave before we can fully recover from the second one,” Uddhav Thackeray said.
An increase in crowd capacity in public places will be an invitation for the third wave, he said.
“In the first wave, we lacked adequate facilities but later on, we went on increasing them and the second wave has taught us many things. This wave is now receding and taking the experience from it, we will have to ascertain that adequate medicine, health facilities, beds and oxygen is available. This should be seen as priority,” Uddhav Thackeray said.
On shortage of vaccines, Thackeray said the state will get enough vaccines around August -September. “This may accelerate vaccination drive in the state. Vaccination is an important part of the efforts against the corona pandemic but following all health-related rules like using of masks, keeping physical distance is necessary.”
