The pandemic’s third wave threatens India’s richest state 

India’s wealthiest state has been the epicenter of coronavirus’s devastating second wave. Its tourism and environment minister announced that now it is taking steps to prepare for a possible third wave.

Thus far, the western state of Maharashtra, where India’s financial capital Mumbai is located, has reported more than 5.4 million virus cases, as well as over 82,000 deaths from coronavirus. Health ministry data showed that it is the worst-hit state in the country thus far.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and other ministers of the state have been discussing various ways to endure an impending third wave since last month. The new surge of infections could potentially occur sometime between September and October.

Aaditya Thackeray, the chief minister’s son, noted that they are preparing for three major things for the third wave. The first one is the state’s medical response, currently guided by a task force comprising eleven doctors. They have put together standard operating procedures for Maharashtra’s medical and administrative responses. According to Thackeray, the state is discussing which demographics could be affected in a third wave.

The state is also trying to ensure there are adequate hospital beds and oxygen supply, along with intensive care units. Second, it is contemplating social guidelines, like the need to wear multiple masks. Thackeray added that the third is the corporate response. Industries have to go, and work has to go on.

What is India’s Covid situation currently?

The country’s daily reported cases have been reducing since hitting a record high of over 414,000 new infections during a 24-hour period on May 7. Some analysts think that the second wave may have already reached its peak.

On Monday, new virus cases tumbled down below 300,000 for the first time since April 21. However, the fatality rate still hovered above 4,000 for the last three consecutive days. On Tuesday, at least 4,329 more deaths were reported.