India passed its COVID-19 peak in September and, if current trends continue, there will be “minimal cases” by February, according to a panel formed by Department of Science and Technology.
“The pandemic has peaked but this isn’t reason for complacence as this nice downward trend will continue only if we continue with protective measures,” said Prof. M. Vidyasagar of the IIT, Hyderabad, and chairman of the committee.
Hyderabad IIT Professor M. Vidyasagar is the head of this committee. If the rules are not followed properly, the number of patients are likely to increase by another 26 lakh during the festive season, the committee said.
Navratri festival has already started in the country which will be followed by Dussehra, Diwali and Christmas. Experts say that everyone should use masks and sanitizers to maintain their physical distance during this period.
If the country had not announced a lockdown in March, the disease would have claimed 2.5 million lives so far, the committee said. If the country had not announced a lockdown in March, the disease would have claimed 2.5 million lives so far, the committee said. “We cannot rule out (a second coronavirus wave this winter in India). Things can happen and we are still learning about the virus,” Dr. Paul noted.