Covid-19 fourth wave: Are we ready?

By Rithu Dravid | NT

The state government was clueless when the second wave of the deadly Covid-19 began to spread in March last year.

There was death and despair everywhere. The shortage of oxygen, scarcity of medicine, non-availability of ICU and oxygenated beds hit the State very badly. Shortage of beds hit people hard with the number of cases kept on increasing.

In the middle of the pandemic, a biggest tragedy struck when over two dozen Covid-19 patients at Chamarajanagar Government Hospital died due to Oxygen shortage. This forced the government to ramp up medical facilities across the State.

So when the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic hit the state, the medical emergencies were in place. Moreover, the impact of the new variant was very mild and most of the beds remained unoccupied as people recovered in home quarantine. The mortality rates were also low.

But now the bigger question is are we ready to face the fourth wave which is expected to hit the world during June - July this year.

A study by IIT-Kanpur predicted that the healthcare infrastructure including oxygen beds, ICUs, oxygen plants, augmented in the first three waves during the past two years will help us in coping with the possible fourth wave.

Dr Vijaya Raghava Reddy, Medical Director, Best Hospital, Bengaluru, said the health department is fully geared up to meet any eventuality. “It has completed the first and the second round of vaccination and is currently appealing to people to take the booster dose. These booster doses will provide an extra layer of protection against the virus,” he said.

With the fourth wave anticipated in June, the spread of the virus will be less due to the herd immunity. Majority of the population are vaccinated or have developed natural immunity,” Dr Reddy said.

Studies have shown that the immunity wanes a few months after taking the vaccine so the booster shots help rebuild the immunity against the Covid-19 virus. According to the statistics, as of April 12, 2022, a total of 14,64,506 precautionary doses have been given in the state. Only 49 per cent of people in the age group of 60 years and above have taken the precautionary dose. Everybody above the age of 18 who have completed nine months from the second dose of vaccine are eligible for the precautionary dose.

The medical parameters are right in place. Almost every district hospital is now equipped with liquid oxygen generating units. The Covid care centres are dusted and kept ready. The number of ICU beds, oxygenated beds have increased manifold to deal with any emergency. The biggest shield has been the free vaccination for the people everywhere. No separate vaccine drive has been planned for the possible fourth wave.

Dr (Wg Cdr) M.D. Marker, Medical Director, Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, said his hospital is ready to face any crisis situation. “The third wave was not very serious as it fizzled out and died a natural death. Our hospital has not admitted a single case in the last two months. We are all well prepared and are constantly liaising with the state government. We have beds in the ICU that are sealed and vacant,” he said.

Dr Marker said his hospital is ready to accommodate patients from government hospitals. “In case of a fourth wave, we will accommodate patients from government hospitals on the directions of the Department of Health and Family Welfare. Our doctors, nurses and the staff are well geared up to face any crisis,” he said.