Fourth wave hysteria uncalled for: Experts

By Maqsood Maniyar | NT

Bengaluru: Virologists and administration officials sought to allay the fears of the city’s residents about a possible fourth Covid wave.

They said the fourth wave, if it did indeed come to pass, would not be as devastating since studies have suggested that over 70 per cent of Indians have attained hybrid immunity. This refers to people suffering one natural infection and receiving at least a single vaccine dose.

The comments come in the backdrop of recent developments in the state. Dr C.N. Manjunath, director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru on Saturday told a news agency that Covid variants BA.2.10 and BA.2.12 had been found in Karnataka.

In response, the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services (H&FWS) D Randeep had issued a circular calling the news unconfirmed since it wasn’t verified by Indian SARS-Cov-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). Moreover, the State government on Monday reintroduced mask mandates for indoor public places. Wary citizens fear the outbreak of a fourth wave in the near future, but experts said there is no need to panic.

Dr Ravi, virologist at National Institute of Medical Health and Neuro-Sciences (Nimhans) said hybrid immunity would help combat Covid. “Now we have enough data to say hybrid immunity gives you long lasting protection. Who is at risk if there is a spurt now? Well, those who have never been doublevaccinated, those who have never been exposed to Covid, old people and those with co-morbidities. The good news, however, is that we know that vaccines protect against hospitalisation even in severe cases of Omicron,” he said. “If a totally new variant comes along, which is distinct from Omicron, then there might be another wave,” he added.

Dr Jacob John, noted virologist and professor at Department of Community Health at Christian Medical College, Vellore echoed these sentiments. “Unless a new virus emerges, which is different, a wave may not happen,” he said. He added that the Omicron wave was now in the endemic phase and that minor fluctuations can be explained among people not wearing masks.

“Numbers overall in India are low and steady with minor fluctuations, which you can see in Haryana and Delhi,” John said. However, both virologists advised people to wear masks and get boosters shots.

No new variants in city: Authorities
Meanwhile, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services (H&FWS) D Randeep reiterated his stand that news of new variants in the city was unconfirmed. “The state cannot go by this (news of new variants). There have been no rising cases. The last bulletin of INSACOG was on January 10. So we cannot confirm this news,” he said. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Health Officer (CHO) Balasundar said: “Unless we get reports from recognised ISACOG labs, we take it as a negative. We are very cautious and we are taking every precautionary measure.”