Fourth wave of Covid-19 likely in fourth week of June, suggest medical experts

BENGALURU: With the rising daily cases in major cities across the country, there is apprehension that a fourth wave of Covid-19 may be witnessed by June-end or July.

In Karnataka too, cases have been rising steadily over the last few weeks and the active case count is now close to 3,000. The Health Department anticipates a further rise in cases in the coming 3-4 weeks.

STEADY UPSWING

Date    Karnataka    Bengaluru

June 1    178               158
June 2    297              276
June 3    259             243
June 4    222             210
June 5    301             291
June 6    230            222
June 7    348            339

On Tuesday, neighbouring Maharashtra recorded 1,881 new cases, a 81% increase in just a day. This is the highest single-day number after February 18. Mumbai alone contributed 1,242 cases. In Delhi, there were 450 new cases on Tuesday, taking the positivity rate to 1.92%. In Tamil Nadu too, there were 144 cases.

Medical experts feel that the fourth wave may be witnessed in the fourth week of June, but won’t be severe if the Omicron variant is still around. But if there is a new mutation, then the situation will be different, they feel.

It is important to lessen the severity of the fourth wave by wearing masks and following Covid-appropriate behaviour, they added.