India's Omicron Scare: Is the Third Wave on Its Way?

As India recovers from the second wave of Covid-19, another variant of Covid-19 named Omicron is knocking at our door. Whenever we think to have beaten Covid-19, it comes back with a new variant as a new pandemic. In South Africa, patients with the new variant of Covid-19, Omicron, were found just after most of the world had recovered from the delta variant of Covid-19. Omicron infections are faster than any other variant of Covid-19, and even though no specific symptoms have been observed in patients with this new variant, it was designated a Variant of Concern by WHO. Various studies have determined that the Omicron strain multiplies and causes infection more quickly and is more resistant to immune system attacks than Delta. If B.1.1.529, the new SARS-COV2 strain, affects a big population, there could be "more sub-clans" of it. Several countries, such as South Africa and the United Kingdom, are experiencing a rapid spread of this variant. It is estimated that the number of people infected daily in India could be up to more than that of which we have seen during the second wave of covid-19 if this variant spreads at the same speed as it is spreading in Europe. Considering what happened during the second wave of COVID-19, this will create a very dire situation. According to early reports, this new variant of Covid-19 has high re-infection rates when compared to its predecessors, and it may also infect a fully vaccinated individual.

Cases of Covid-19 Omicron in India:

Over the last 24 hours, India has reported 7,145 new infections from Coronavirus, with 8,706 recovering from them. As of today, the recovery rate for COVID-19 is 98.38%. In the nationwide vaccination drive, 1,37,47,41,782 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.

Director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Balram Bhargava, had previously outlined three important measures to contain the deadly new COVID-19 variant. Dr. Bhargava said at a press briefing that "this is a time when non-essential travel, mass gatherings should be avoided and low-intensity celebrations should be observed."

According to the latest figures, the number of Omicron cases in India rose to 126 on Saturday, December 18, after states such as Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra reported fresh cases. A report by the Health Ministry states that there have been cases of Omicron recorded in 11 states. There are 43 cases of the new COVID variant recorded in Maharashtra, 22 in Delhi, 17 in Rajasthan, 14 in Karnataka, 8 in Gujarat, 11 in Kerala, 1 in Andhra Pradesh, 1 in Chandigarh, 1 in Tamil Nadu, and 1 in West Bengal.

Will Booster Shot of Covid-19 Vaccine Prevent Third Wave of Corona:

Numerous medical experts have recommended a third dose of the Covid vaccine in the wake of the Omicron threat. Coronavirus variants are spreading at an alarming rate throughout the world. Omicron has a reputation for being highly resistant to existing vaccines. Scientists are working to better understand it. Using Covovax as a booster shot to counter the threat posed by the emerging omicron variant of Coronavirus is a good idea, according to a top government scientist in India. The World Health Organization approved Covovax for emergency use on Tuesday.

Third Wave of Covid-19 in India:

Several experts say that once the Omicron variant replaces Delta as the dominant strain of COVID-19 in India, a third wave may occur. According to the member of the National Covid-19 Supermodel Committee, Omicron is spreading across the country at an extremely rapid rate, which could presage its ability to dominate the Delta variant of COVID-19 and ultimately cause the third wave of Coronavirus outbreaks. "The third wave, which will be driven by Omicron, is expected to arrive in early next year and peak in February," said the head of the Covid Supermodel panel.

The COVID supermodel panel members said that the worst-case scenario for the third wave of the coronavirus is not going to be like the ferocious second wave of COVID-19 that India experienced earlier this year, but a milder version thereof. In India, the third wave is anticipated to arrive early next year. It will be milder than the second wave due to a large number of immune individuals in the country. There will certainly be a third wave. Right now, we are seeing around 7,500 cases per day, which will increase once Omicron replaces Delta as the primary variant, Vidyasagar, the head of the Covid panel, told ANI. As a result, he added, "the third wave will not see as many cases as those seen in the second wave. As a result, we have also been able to build up our capacity, so we should be able to deal with the situation without a problem."