3rd Covid wave imminent

A committee of experts constituted under the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) of India's home ministry has warned of an imminent third wave of Covid that could peak around October.

It also sought better medical preparedness for children who might be at similar risk as adults.

The report of the committee has noted that "paediatric facilities — doctors, staff, equipment like ventilators, ambulances, etc are nowhere close to what may be required in case a large number of children become infected".

It has called for prioritising vaccination among children with co-morbidities and a special focus on those with disability. The report has been submitted to the PMO.

Even with "strict interventions", the peak of the third wave is expected to arrive by late October, the experts have concurred with earlier assessments of different institutions. Several studies have spoken of the likelihood of a third wave but these are estimates.

The vulnerability of kids as they haven't been vaccinated has been discussed, with most experts of the view they are not prone to severe infections though it can pass the virus to others. Other estimates have said the third wave, seen to be the result of renewed mobility, may prove to be less severe than the second.

The study: "Third Wave Preparedness: Children Vulnerability and Recovery," has looked into the possibility of Covid-affecting children and the required strategies to deal with the pandemic.

The recommendations made by the committee has suggested "a holistic home care model, immediate increase in paediatric medical capacities and prioritising mental health issues among children".

It has mooted structuring of Covid wards in a way that allows children's attendants or parents to safely stay with them through their recovery, reports TNN.

Experts have expressed concern about 82% shortage of paediatricians in primary health centres and 63% vacancies in community health centres (the data cited from a parliamentary standing committee).

"The situation is already dire, and might worsen due to lack of adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB), insufficient medical facilities and lagging vaccination," the report said.

It pointed out how during the second wave, about 60%- 70% children hospitalised due to Covid had comorbidities and their low immunity was the primary cause behind many developing MIS-C (Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome), a "rare but serious condition" developed post-Covid recovery.

"Preparedness is the key, learning from the past two waves. We need to take proactive actions now in anticipation of the third wave. States may start enhancing paediatric Covid care facilities for treatment, ICU, paediatric ambulance, medicine, including paediatricians," said Santosh Kumar, coordinator of the committee of experts and professor head of governance and public policy at NIDM.

The coronavirus has killed at least 4,430,846 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP yesterday.

The Philippines health ministry reported a record 18,332 Covid-19 infections yesterday and for the first time acknowledged community transmission of the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus in its capital region.

The region, an urban sprawl containing the capital, Manila, and 16 cities home to more than 13 million people, had been subject to strict lockdown measures which were relaxed for 10 days from August 21 to allow more businesses to operate, reports Reuters.

Israel said yesterday it would offer Covid-19 vaccinations to students on school grounds as it announced the school year would open on time next week, despite surging coronavirus cases.

"Pupils... will be vaccinated on school grounds during school hours, subject to parental approval," a government statement said, confirming classes would begin on September 1.

China reported no new domestic coronavirus cases yesterday, and Beijing appears poised to bring to heel the pandemic's most serious resurgence in months -- driven by the highly contagious Delta variant -- with mass testing and targeted lockdowns.

The latest outbreak, which began in mid-July when cleaners at a Nanjing airport tested positive, is the most severe since Covid-19 first surfaced in the central city of Wuhan.

New Zealand extended a national Covid-19 lockdown yesterday, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying a Delta variant outbreak has yet to peak.

Ardern said the rapid spread of the highly transmissible variant meant it was too early to lift restrictions imposed last week after a virus cluster emerged in Auckland, ending a six-month run of no local cases, reports AFP.

In Australia, police yesterday criticised a Sydney church for flouting the city's Covid-19 lockdown by holding a service for 60 people in a pandemic hotspot.

The church is part of Christ Embassy, an international religious group headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, which has a record of spreading Covid-19 conspiracy theories.

After being tipped off by residents yesterday, police moved in on the Christ Embassy Sydney church, issuing a fine of 5,000 Australian dollars ($3,600) to the organisation and Aus$1,000 fines to 30 parishioners.