![]() India’s first extended lockdown that lasted from March 25 to saw a gradual reduction in infection rates. Unquestionably, multiple and complex factors simultaneously intertwined to cause this sudden explosion of the Delta variant. Infectious disease experts anticipate that a third wave of infections might impact India later this year caused by newer variants. The Government of India and almost all state governments are battling to contain the rapid community transmission of this mutant variant. The virulent outbreak of the SARS-COV-2 mutant virus- B.1.1.7, B1.617, B.1617.1, B.1.617.2, and B1.168, also known as the Delta Variant-is the primary cause for India’s monumental struggle to contain the second wave of coronavirus. During the peak of second-wave, India was seeing more than 400,000 cases per day in May 2021, which has currently tapered to about 40,000 cases (JHU, Our World in Data, 7/22/21). In the following month, deaths more than doubled again to over 110,000. In February 2021 monthly Indian COVID-19 related deaths were hovering below 3,000, but by March it had increased to over 5,000 and by April it increased 10-fold to 50,000. Today, such scenes are also appearing in other parts of the world as the Delta variant is leading to a surge in cases across the globe. In early 2021, India witnessed horrific scenes with patients lining outside hospitals desperately seeking a bed and struggling to breathe. Today, India has an unenviable task ahead: it has to continue to prevent transmission, increase its vaccine supply, and accelerate vaccine administration while also pursuing various aspects of lockdown, masking, and social distancing protocols to arrest the transmission and mutation of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. It is as yet unclear as to whether this decentralized management model could be described as successful, compared to the unilateral central government control, as in the case of the first wave. ![]() During the second wave, the Central Government of India stepped back and ceded management to state and local governments. After the first wave subsided, COVID-19 safety protocols were relaxed because of economic considerations. Several causes emerged simultaneously and unfortunately, colluded to surprise and overwhelm public health officials and the Indian government. This article assesses India’s handling of the second wave of the coronavirus, and seeks to draw some lessons from India’s experience. But, some estimates peg the number of COVID-19-related deaths significantly higher (see footnote no. The second wave of the coronavirus caused by the mutant Delta variant led to the deaths of 209,182 people from April 15 to Jin India (Data source: Our World in Data). WHO’s Van Kerkhove cautioned that, for BA.2.75, “there are very few sequences that are available,” and so our understanding of the Omicron offshoot is limited.Sebastian Kevany, Associate Professor, DKI APCSS He presented a chart illustrating the stairstep nature of new variants’ rising growth capacity. Anthony Fauci in the White House Covid-19 Response Team briefing on Tuesday. “Over the last several months, we’ve seen each successive (Omicron) variant have a bit of a transmission advantage over the prior one,” said Dr. ![]() It also may have an advantage over BA.5 via increased immune escape. Tom Peacock, Virologist at Imperial College London cited “the divergent mutation profile, the wide geographical spread, and the rapidness that new sequences have emerged” as his chief concerns about BA.2.75. “But it does look like, especially in India, the rates of transmission are showing kind of that exponential increase.” “It’s still really early on for us to draw too many conclusions,” said Binnicker. The California cases were found in Bay Area wastewater samples from mid-June, reported the San Francisco Chronicle. ![]() ![]() States with sequenced BA.2.75 infections are California - with two cases - and one each in Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin and Washington. Those include Australia, Canada, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the U.S. Since it was first identified, the subvariant has been spotted in “about 14 countries,” according to WHO Covid-19 Technical Lead, Maria Van Kerkhove. Only one thing is sure… It Ain't Over Folks! /94Kj50OuNu Growth advantage of BA.2.75 vs BA.5* and BA.2.38* picked up some steam to 324% and 423% (over last 3 months) Los Angeles Set To Reach The CDC's "High" Covid Community Level In Next 48 Hours, Says Top Health Official - UpdateīA.2.75 ( #Centaurus) still didn't remove its foot from the gas pedal in India! ![]()
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