COVID-19 Latest Update Today: Is a '3rd wave' coming? Check what the Principal Scientific Advisor has to say - all details here

COVID-19 Latest Update Today: When the COVID-19 pandemic first struck the country last year, total lockdown was imposed to contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease. After the situation seemed to have come under control, the lockdown was lifted in a phased manner. However, the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic this year led to a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases across the country. Now, there is apprehension about whether there is going to be a '3rd wave' or not!

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The Principal Scientific Advisor to Centre, K Vijay Raghavan warned that the third wave is 'inevitable'. He also added that it was unclear on what time scale this phase three will occur. As per an ANI tweet, "A phase three is inevitable, given the higher levels of circulating virus but it is not clear on what time scale this phase three will occur. We should prepare for new waves: K Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor to Centre."

There are certain takeaways from his press conference that took place yesterday. As per india.com, he said that the current vaccines that are effective against the current variants will have to be 'updated' in order to deal with the upcoming COVID-19 strains. The current variants have overwhelmed the country’s health infrastructure with thousands of people losing their lives to COVID every day. The Scientific Advisor has also further pointed out that the variants are being transmitted in the same manner as the original strain.

Vijay Raghavan also stated, "Vaccines are effective against current variants. New variants will arise all over the world and in India too but variants that increase transmission will likely plateau. Immune evasive variants and those which lower or increase disease severity will arise going ahead." However, he also assured of the fact that an intense research program is going on in the country, as well as the world where the scientists are working towards anticipating these kinds of variants and acting against them rapidly by early warning. They are also developing modified tools.

In the meantime, NITI Aayog’s Member, Health, Dr V.K. Paul urged the physicians to come forward and provide teleconsultations to people infected with COVID-19.  While referring to the new strain, he said, “The response to the changing virus remains the same… we need to follow the COVID appropriate behaviour such as mask, distancing, hygiene, no unnecessary meetings and staying at home.”

In other COVID-19 related news, India registered 3,82,315 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours on Wednesday as per the union health ministry. The daily spike had reached its peak on May 1, 2021, with more than four lakh cases.