India might be entering endemic stage of COVID-19: WHO Chief Scientist

NEW DELHI: Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, World Health Organisation (WHO), said on Tuesday, August 24, that India might be entering the endemic stage of COVID-19. She said in an interview with The Wire, “Presently, there is low level or moderate level transmission in India but we are not considering the kinds of exponential growth and peaks witnessed a few months back.”

According to the United States’ Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, ‘endemic’ refers to the constant presence and/or usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographical region. Dr Swaminathan also added that due to diverse population and immunity status in different areas of the country, it is likely that this situation might continue with ups and downs in various parts of India.

Dr Swaminathan said that those groups who were probably less affected with the first and second wave and those with low levels of vaccination might see surge in cases of COVID-19 infection. Speaking about the situation in Kerala, she said that perhaps it is due to Onam festival or other factors that the number of cases is increasing, so it will be wise to wait and watch what happens in subsequent weeks.

She added that it is impossible to predict the timing of the third wave but scientists can make an informed guess based on the variables which affect transmission. These factors include background level of population, immunity, natural infection and vaccination coverage, personal and public health measures, etc., she added.