Today’s Health ministry bulletin said 48 Delta Plus cases in 10 states in India- Delta Plus a mutant of Delta variant which has created havoc in the country. There is a mutation in spike protein, that is the structure of the virus which helps it attach to the source.
While some said the mutation makes the virus more transmissible others say the research is still on.
Basically the NOVEL corona virus is so Novel that the there is nothing conclusive about the virus that we can know or say for sure.
So the question many are asking is third wave coming - some doctors claim it is and can be triggered by delta plus , epidemiologist says Delta plus is basically Delta variant so a large section of population will be protected.
The debate took roots when AIIMS chief, Randeep Guleria claimed it’s coming .
The Health ministry and ICMR was quick to disagree. “If we wear masks properly, maintain social distancing and get ourselves vaccinated, why would there be a third wave at all?” says Dr V.K. Paul, chairman of the national taskforce on Covid management. Even Dr Randeep Guleria, was quoted by media saying people will develop enough immunity against Covid-19 by vaccination or an infection.
India today quoted Noted virologist Dr T. Jacob John saying there are less chances of third wave in India. “Delta and Delta Plus are nearly the same, and both strains have already spread significantly, as per serological surveys. A large number of people would have been asymptomatically infected with these variants as well”.
As far as children being more affected - a sero surveillance study showed children being as much affected by the virus as adults. The only difference was children showed less symptoms or were mostly asymptomatic.
So is third wave reality. Spanish flu came in three waves, swine flu saw only two. Some
Countries have opened up and others are signaling arrival of third wave. Nothing is conclusive.
The only solution is- vaccination, following Covid appropriate behaviour to keep the third wave at bay.