Amid Omicron surge, will India witness ‘Delmicron’ third COVID wave? Experts opine

With Omicron cases ratcheting across country, a massive upsurge in daily new COVID-19 infections has been observed across states. Amid scare of Omicron spre, stringent measures have been anunced by governments and officials have been alarmed to ensure implementation of COVID protocols. 

Health officials tracking spre of ‘highly mutated’ B.1.1.529 variant across globe fear India might also witness a spike in cases of both Delta and Omicron variants (Delmicron) just like countries in West. speculations are being me as to Delta variant that le second COVID wave in India, which has been dominant variant in country, although w Omicron is also spreing rapidly. 

Delmicron spre in Western countries

Delmicron is t a new COVID strain, but a combination of Delta and Omicron viruses that is fuelling COVID-19 cases across globe. Both Delta and Omicron variants of COVID are wreaking havoc in USA, UK and or European Countries. COVID-19 cases have plummeted, recording all-time high daily infections, and hospitals have been overwhelmed.

According to data, Omicron is most dominant variant in United States, accounting for 73% of all new cases. Meanwhile, Delta variant was responsible for more than 99.5% of COVID-19 infections in country last month, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Omicron variant has caused an "explosion" of COVID-19 cases in past few weeks, according to British experts. In several European nations, Omicron is alrey most dominant version.  

Meanwhile, World Health Organization has been continuously warning world about threats of new variant. World Health Organisation on Tuesday, Dec 28 warned that new variant could le to overwhelming healthcare systems across globe.

Is a Delmicron wave expected in India?

Responding to speculations of India witnessing a Delmicron spurt, Dr Jagish Hiremath, Chairman at Aasra Hospital spoke to Republic Media Network and said that re is a possibility of spre of both variants, however, severity of Omicron cases is expected to be mild. 

Dr Hiremath said, “We are expecting that it will be a double variant third wave caused by delta and Omicron variants, but severity is expected to be mild. Omicron variant is t seen to have caused severe infection anywhere till w. Although Delta variant could cause severe symptoms, with a large number of people having been vaccinated, even in cases of vaccine breakthrough severity of infection will be mild. That way we can also expect hospitalization to be lower in possible third wave.”

How can it be prevented?

Stressing that COVID-19 preventive guidelines must be followed and government shall prepare for surge in cases by ensuring an equate supply of required drugs, oxygen, and medicines. Dr. Hiremath said, “Measures must be taken both by government and public. Ramping up supply chain for a smooth supply of oxygen and required medication should be ensured. It should be first and immediate measure to be taken by government.”

 “Also, it is important that government must plan on regular campaigning to ensure people remain serious about maintaining COVID appropriate behaviour and are aware of symptoms to watch out for. Proper contact tracing of infected individuals and curbing spre is most important of all,” Dr Hiremath ded.

Highlighting that people’s awareness and appropriate behaviour was key to preventing COVID spre, he asserted, “A sense of negligence is seen among public towards COVID appropriate behaviour se days. This could speed up spre of infection. One must get tested for COVID-19 in case any symptoms are observed. Hesitancy to undergo a COVID test is biggest hurdle for fighting possible third wave, and we should ensure that it has gone.”
 

Omicron Cases in India

total tally of Omicron cases in India has reached 781 on Wednesday, Dec 29 with Delhi reporting highest number of infections with 238 cases followed by 57 recoveries. After national capital, Maharashtra has 167 Omicron cases. India on Wednesday reported 9,195 fresh COVID-19 cases and 302 fatalities in last 24 hours, informed Health Ministry