Third wave might be 1.5 times more severe than second wave in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: The Government of Odisha estimated on Thursday, August 26, that the daily caseload in the state during the possible third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic could be 1.5 times higher than those recorded during the second wave’s peak. The caseload might go up to 7.66 lakh during the peak of the third wave as against 5.22 lakh from April 1 to June 15. It added that the third wave might last around 75 days and the caseload will include 12 per cent of children and adolescents who are between the age group of 0 to 18 years. If the third wave hits, officials estimate that the highest single-day caseload could go upto 19,278. 

PK Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha, wrote to the district collectors to approve the Emergency COVID Response Plan (ECRP) in order to prepare an action plan before the third wave hits. 

Under the ECRP, improved provisions related to COVID-19 will be included such as essential drugs, dedicated paediatric care units and additional ICU beds. The Government of Odisha has also set up liquid medical oxygen and medical gas pipeline systems. Moreover, authorities are adding provisions for increasing the manpower in the human resources at the COVID-19 care centers for providing better communication.