Maharashtra: Experts Anticipate Outbreak of Third Wave of COVID-19 after 8000 Children gets Infected

Ahmednagar:

After Rajasthan, Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district has become a hotspot for COVID-19 infection in children. According to reports, the novel coronavirus infection has infected over 8000 children this month.

Due to the increased rates of infection amongst children, many health professionals believe that the third wave of the new coronavirus pandemic is approaching. 

"At least 8000 kids tested positive for COVID-19 in May alone. This is worrying," Rajendra Bhosale, Ahmednagar district chief said. 

Considering the possibility of the outbreak of the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, a COVID-19 ward, especially for children, is being prepared in the Sangli district of Maharashtra. Experts anticipate the third wave of the pandemic to hit Maharashtra and other states during the month of August-September. 

"During the second wave, there was a shortage of beds and oxygen. So, we need to avoid that during the third wave and hence need to fully prepare ourselves," said MLA Sangram Jagtap. 

While many experts believe the third wave of COVID-19 infection will primarily impact children, others dismiss this hypothesis as guesswork. However, experts concur that there is a need to improve pediatric COVID services throughout the country. 

Earlier on Sunday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerey claimed that the government is fully geared to take on the possible threat of the third wave of the novel coronavirus. 

"I don't know when and what date the third wave will come. So we should not let our guard down," the Shiv Sena supremo and Maharashtra CM stated. 

CM Thackerey also announced that lockdown-like restrictions imposed in the state on mid-April will continue to be in effect will the fortnight of June 15. He said he was taking district-wise reports and will allow relaxation in districts with fewer cases of infections and will take strict lockdown measures in districts with higher rates of infections to break the chain of transmission.  

India recorded the lowest daily increase in Covid cases in 50 days, with 1.52 lakh new infections. The government has reported 3.29 lakh deaths since the pandemic began, with 3,218 deaths reported just yesterday.

In terms of overall case count, India is marginally behind the United States (3.32 crore cases) with 2.8 crore total cases. For the seventh day in a row, India's positivity rate stayed below 10%.

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