What is common between India, Argentina and Poland is that in all three countries the first wave of infections peaked relatively late.
NEW DELHI: As daily Covid-19 cases in the country continue to fall after peaking nearly three months ago, India is among only two nations among the 10 worst-affected by the pandemic that are yet to be hit by a second wave of infections.
Eight of these countries have either seen or are in the midst of a second or third wave of the pandemic. The only other country among the 10 to have suffered just a single Covid wave so far is Argentina.
Two or more waves of the pandemic appear to be the norm in countries with a sizable number of infections. In the worst-hit 15 countries of the world, all with caseloads of nearly one million or more, Poland is the only other country hit by a single big wave thus far.
What is common between India, Argentina and Poland is that in all three countries the first wave of infections peaked relatively late. In India, the peak came in mid-September, in Argentina it was in the third week of October while Poland had its peak in the first week of November.
All other countries had seen Covid cases peaking latest by August. The US, the world's worst-hit country by far, is arguably in the midst of a third wave of infections. Its first peak came in the second week of April and the second in the third week of July. Thereafter, daily cases fell till the second week of September before climbing steeply again.
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In all countries (among the worst 15) hit by multiple waves, the second wave has been deadlier than the first. The only exception is Brazil, but it’s still not clear whether or not the second wave in the country is on wane.
In India, daily cases have fallen to almost a third of the levels seen during the peak of the pandemic. But with more than 30,000 daily cases still being reported, the danger of a second wave clearly continues to lurk.
On Tuesday, India reported 32,069 fresh cases of the virus. The count was around 4,000 less than what was reported on the previous Tuesday, indicating the continuing fall in cases. Kerala reported the highest number of fresh cases at 5,032, followed by Maharashtra (4,026), Delhi (3,188) and Bengal (2,941).
The day’s death toll was 404, having crossed the 400 mark after a gap of three days. Delhi recorded the day’s highest deaths at 57 but the toll in the capital has been gradually decreasing in sync with the fall in fresh cases. Maharashtra reported 53 fatalities, the second highest in the country, followed by Bengal (49), Punjab (30) and Uttar Pradesh (23).
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Inside India's coronavirus vaccination plan
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Three COVID-19 vaccines, developed by Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute of India and Pfizer, are currently under active consideration of India's drug regulator. The Union health ministry, meanwhile, said that there is hope that early licensure is possible for all or any of them.
Three COVID-19 vaccines, developed by Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute of India and Pfizer, are currently under active consideration of India's drug regulator. The Union health ministry, meanwhile, sa..
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In total, eight vaccines are at different stages of development in India. This includes Covishield of Serum Institute, Covaxin of Bharat Biotech, ZyCOV-D of Cadila Healthcare, Sputnik V by Dr Reddy's Lab, NVX-CoV2373 by Serum Institute, Recombinant Protein Antigen-based vaccine by Biological E Ltd, and HGCO 19 by Genova.
The eighth vaccine is being developed by Bharat Biotech International Ltd in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson University, USA and it is at the pre-clinical stages. Another vaccine, which is in the initial stage, is being developed by Aurobindo Pharma.
In total, eight vaccines are at different stages of development in India. This includes Covishield of Serum Institute, Covaxin of Bharat Biotech, ZyCOV-D of Cadila Healthcare, Sputnik V by Dr Reddy's..
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Union Health Ministry has outlined an initial plan to immunize 300 million people. The initial immunization plan revolves around three priority groups: 10 million healthcare workers, 20 million front-line workers such as the police and military, and 270 million other people either above age 50 or who have diseases that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19's effects.
Union Health Ministry has outlined an initial plan to immunize 300 million people. The initial immunization plan revolves around three priority groups: 10 million healthcare workers, 20 million front..
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Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said India would rely on its existing immunization programs, which are among the largest in the world. Every year, India immunizes 26 million infants and 30 million pregnant women with 300 million vaccine doses. But there are challenges. Even before the pandemic, vaccine coverage for children in India was patchy. It is lowest among India's indigenous communities, where only 56% of newborns are vaccinated.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said India would rely on its existing immunization programs, which are among the largest in the world. Every year, India immunizes 26 million infants and 30 mill..
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But the big issue is that India has never done any adult immunization. That means more people must be trained to administer vaccines. The immunization of adults will also require different medical personnel instead of pediatricians, and may face more resistance to the shots.
But the big issue is that India has never done any adult immunization. That means more people must be trained to administer vaccines. The immunization of adults will also require different medical pe..
