Introduction

In the year 2020, the whole world witnessed the onslaught of the deadly Covid-19. The first Covid-19 case was reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. This virus soon made its way around the world and by January 2020, countries such as India, Russia and the United Kingdom had begun fighting this coronavirus.  

On July 17th 2020, India saw the highest death count so far which was around 2000 deaths a day. Wearing a mask, imposing lockdowns and curfews helped to reduce the spread of the virus. However, about seven months after the first wave, India experienced the second wave of Covid-19.

Second Wave of Covid-19

The Covid-19 cases started to increase rapidly from March 2021. India recorded the lowest number of new cases in that month on April 22nd, with around three lakh cases per day. On May 6th, 2021, India registered 4,14,188 new cases, the highest number of cases ever recorded. From May 9th onwards, India started seeing a steady decline in Covid-19 cases across the country. Due to government impositions and people’s vigilance, India slowly and steadily is recovering from Covid-19.

With the help of medical facilities and doctors, vaccines for this deadly virus were developed. To date, India has administered 187 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. So far, 3.1% of the total population of India, that is, 41,686,052 citizens, have been fully vaccinated. 

Safe and effective vaccines help ensure that COVID-19 does not result in severe disease and death, especially in vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. Vaccination protects against COVID-19 and reduces the likelihood of new variants from emerging.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Covid-19 in India 

In the initial days of the pandemic, the spread of the Covid-19 virus in India was low. But due its high transmissibility, it spread like wildfire, infecting millions of people in the country. Because the outbreak of Covid-19 in India was an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence, India was unprepared. Every individual was affected by the ongoing pandemic.  

In India, Covid-19 has had a major impact on the following: 

• Decrease Mortality rate (National Mortality Rate currently stands at 1.10 %.).
• Lower electric power consumption.
• Unemployment 
• Economic recession 
• Reduction in tax revenue collected by the government.
• Negative impact on the tourism industry.

From the smallest state to the largest, all the states of India are still fighting against Covid-19. The worst affected states include Tamil Nadu with 1,842,344 active cases, Maharashtra with 5,579,897 active cases and Karnataka with 2,424,904 active cases and Kerala with 2,347,966 active cases.  

Covid-19, termed SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), affects a person’s lungs and respiratory system. In the first wave of Covid-19, the country was able to manage with its existing supply of oxygen and oxygen concentrators. However, when the second wave of Covid-19 came out of nowhere, the number of infected people skyrocketed, resulting in a surge in demand for medical equipment such as ventilators, oxygen cylinders and ICU beds. At that point, India was not prepared and could not keep up with the rising cases, which led to the collapse of medical facilities.  

India was faced with a shortage of the most basic medical facilities. With the help of medical aid, doctors and frontline workers, the government arranged oxygen cylinders and concentrators. Many other countries like Russia, UK and Malaysia helped India during the crisis by supplying oxygen and ventilators by air. So far, 11,058 oxygen concentrators, 13,496 oxygen cylinders and 19 oxygen generation plants have been set up to overcome the oxygen crisis in India.  

About 7,365 ventilators and five lakhs vials of life-saving medicines are being made to meet demand and are supplied to patients or hospitals by air or roadways as early as possible.    

India on the road to recovery

Though the second wave of Covid-19 was unpredictable, India was aware of how to combat the situation. Imposition of lockdowns and curfews proved to be effective in curbing the spread of  Covid-19. After three months of the arrival of the second wave of Covid-19, India’s recovery is visible and gradual. The National Recovery Rate has increased to 87.76% from 81. 77%. Vaccination administered in India exceeded 20 cores under Phase 3 of the vaccination drive in the country. To date, around 10 million healthcare and frontline workers working as warriors against Covid-19 have been vaccinated. For over a week consecutively, more than 20 lakhs tests have been conducted in India. 

As active cases are gradually decreasing, the recovery rate is increasing, which means reduced death tolls. States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are the fastest recovering states. Restrictions have also been normalized to some extent. Restaurants, malls and offices are slowly being reopened with some restrictions. 

The March Ahead 

Though there is a decline in the number of active Covid-19 cases in India, the pandemic is still not over; not until 244 districts with more than 20% positivity rate and 479 districts crossing the 10% positivity rate meet WHO’s standard of 5% positivity rate. This can only happen when everyone strictly abides by the Covid-19 guidelines and gets vaccinated.

Testing plays a vital role in reducing the spread of Covid-19. The Indian Council Medical Research, with the help of hospitals and doctors, is trying to increase testing procedures in the remotest parts of India. There is more need for testing kits for districts with a 10% or higher positivity rate.

Conclusion

Scientists are now speculating that the third wave of Covid-19 will hit India by October 2021. India is learning from the second wave and is preparing itself so that conditions do not get out of hand. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan stated, “India would have procured 267 cores of Covid-19 vaccination doses by the end of 2021”. 

The government and doctors are trying their best to combat the situation. Still, as individuals, it is our duty to maintain social distance, wear a mask, and get tested if we experience any Covid-19 symptoms. It is also important to try to get vaccinated as early as possible. 

How to treat Covid-19 at home? 

• Self-isolating can help treat asymptomatic or mild symptoms at home. 
• Steam inhalation can also help alleviate discomfort. 
• Over the counter, medicines can be taken to reduce cough and cold.  
• If you’re going to be around other people, wear a mask. 
• Wash hands with hand wash containing at least 60% alcohol.  

If symptoms become severe, it’s better to get treated by doctors as soon as possible.  

Is the Covid-19 test painful? 

• RTPCR or rapid test is conducted throughout the country to know the positivity rate. A nasal swab tube is inserted in the mouth or nose for the test. Mostly, the person undergoing the test experiences slight discomfort, but it is generally not painful.

When will the Covid-19 pandemic end in India? 

• As of now, the third wave of Covid-19 is speculated. No one knows when the coronavirus pandemic will end, but it is in our hands to reduce the spread of Covid-19 by following all the protocols. 

To know about the Covid-19 live update visit – https://www.mohfw.gov.in/. 

Disclaimer: The information included at the site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.