Delta Plus variant a major concern, Uddhav Thackeray told

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. File Pic

The novel Coronavirus's new variant, Delta Plus, could double the number of patients very quickly if the third wave hits us, the health department has warned. The caution came at a preparedness meeting that CM Uddhav Thackeray led on Wednesday.

The first wave's (19 lakh cases) doubling period was much less than the second wave (40 lakh cases). "The active cases in the third wave could be about 8 lakh, 10 per cent of which could be children," said the department during a presentation.

An alarmed Thackeray has told the state machinery to plug the gaps that surfaced previously. He expressed concern over violation of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and its dangers. "The second wave is flattening and considering the experience, we will have to make medicines, beds and oxygen available. By August-September the country will get 42 crore vaccines and that should accelerate our vaccination drive," he said.

The Covid Task Force told the CM to conduct a Sero survey across the state and accelerate vaccination and, in addition, it wanted the curbs to be followed religiously. The members said while recovering from the second wave, "we will face the third wave in the next two-three months if people continue to be Covid-19 friendly".