Apart from children, an anticipated third wave of Covid-19 is likely to affect people of all age groups in the country, according to Director of Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar Ajay Parida. Dr Parida told reporters that if the third wave if breaks out, it would be as deadly as the second one. However, the effects of the third wave would depend on three aspects, vaccination, mutation of virus and adherence to Covid protocols, he said and pointed out that the Odisha Government has already initiated preparations to tackle the possible third wave in the State. On the present second wave of the pandemic, Dr Parida said the B1.617.2 strain of virus that has been found in India is infecting 60% population.
The same variant has caused infections in Odisha too. He said the second wave was at its peak in Odisha between May 15 and 25. In districts like Khordha, Cuttack and Dhenkanal, the infection cases are higher, but the positivity rate is expected to decline in the next 10 to 15 days. On the increase in single-day Covid deaths, he said, “The fatalities are rising due to co-morbidities in Covid patients.