The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has predicted that the possible third wave of COVID19 could likely be less severe than the second wave. ICMR has predicted that Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh may not be hit as badly as the previous second wave.

“Nobody can predict the third wave for the whole country. The third wave is likely to arrive only when there is a decline in natural or vaccination boosted immunities, a new and more dangerous variant takes birth like Delta variant or there is a relaxation in the states without following appropriate COVID behaviour or people refraining themselves from getting the vaccine shots,” Samiran Panda, ICMR’s epidemiology and communicable disease (ECD) head was quoted as saying in a media report.

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He pointed out that the states or districts where the cases were low may witness a high number of cases, whereas states or districts that reported a high number of cases might record a lower number of cases during the third wave.

Yesterday on August 30, Panda said that the states which did not face an intense second wave of the COVID19 pandemic are now showing early signs of the third wave with the increasing trend of COVID19 cases.

“Several states began imposing COVID19 restrictions and increased vaccinations, learning from Delhi and Maharashtra. Due to this, the second wave in several states was not as intense, leaving scope for a third wave. Therefore, the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in some states presently is indicating the third wave,” said Panda.

According to the data shared by the health ministry (9am), India reported 30,941 fresh COVID19 infections in the past 24 hours. Of the total daily infections, Kerala reported 19,622 cases.