Second wave in winter can’t be ruled out: Expert panel chief

He stressed on COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, especially during the festival season

NEW DELHI: The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths have declined in the last three weeks as the spread of the pandemic has stabilised in most of the states, Niti Aayog Member V K Paul said on Sunday but did not rule out the possibility of a second wave of infections in the winter season.

Paul, who is also the chief of an expert panel coordinating efforts to tackle the pandemic in the country, said that once the COVID-19 vaccine is available, there will be enough resources to deliver as well as make it accessible to citizens. “In India, the new coronavirus cases and number of deaths have declined in the last three weeks and the pandemic has stabilised in most of the states. “However, there are five states (Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal) and 3-4 Union Territories (UTs), where there is still a rising trend,” Paul said.

He is heading the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC). According to him, India is in a somewhat better position now but the country still has a long way to go because 90 per cent of the people are still susceptible to coronavirus infections. On whether India could see a second wave of coronavirus infections in the winter, Paul said that with the onset of winter, countries across Europe are seeing resurgence of COVID-19 cases. “We cannot rule out (a second coronavirus wave this winter in India). Things can happen and we are still learning about the virus,” Paul noted.

He stressed on COVID-19-appropriate behaviour during festival season and winter months. He also cautioned against any complacency about the decline in the number of new cases and called for keeping up the efforts to contain the pandemic. “If we don’t take precaution, if we are not careful, because we are susceptible there can be escalation. God forbid, but we can avoid it.