Third Covid-19 wave can be prevented if necessary steps are taken, says Centre

On Wednesday he had said that a third wave is inevitable

In a U-turn of sorts, the government’s top science advisor on Friday said there could not be a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic if the strict guidelines for precautions were followed.

Principal Scientific Adviser K Vijay Raghavan’s remarks, at a press conference here, came within two days of his declaration that a third wave was inevitable.

“If we take strong measures, the third wave may not happen in all the places or indeed anywhere at all. It depends much on how effectively the guidelines are implemented at the local level, in the states, in districts and in the cities everywhere,” Raghavan said.

The top scientific adviser's remarks about the third wave being inevitable had triggered a political storm with Congress accusing the Modi government of failing to get a handle on the pandemic.

Also Read | Third wave of Covid-19 inevitable, says Centre

Raghavan was prodded at the press conference to make a statement on the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic by fellow officials.

At least 12 states have over one lakh active Covid-19 cases, Arti Ahuja, Additional Secretary in the Health Ministry said. She said the positivity rate was currently above 15% in 24 states in the country and in the range of 5-15% in nine.

As of May 7, India has 36,45,164 active Covid-19 cases, 23,40,83 deaths and 1,76,12,351 recoveries.

India had reported 3,915 deaths were reported in 24 hours ending 8:00 a.m. on Friday. Ten states account for 74.48% of the new deaths. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties (853). Uttar Pradesh follows with 350 daily deaths.

Ahuja said Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Chhattisgarh are among states and union territories showing continued plateauing or decrease in daily new Covid-19 cases.

However, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Odisha are among those showing an upward trend in daily new cases of the infection, she said.