Covid-19 third wave: A lot depends on human behaviour, says AIIMS official

People shop at a wholesale vegetable market in Kolkata on Sunday, after restrictions were eased. Pic/AFP

Amid warnings of a third Covid-19 wave as the country gradually eases restrictions, a top AIIMS official on Sunday said that human behaviour is one of the major factors that would determine future outbreaks of the virus.

Neeraj Nischal, assistant professor, Department of Medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), said, "Covid-19 waves will depend on two important factors, one is virus-related and the second human-related factors. The mutation of the virus is beyond our control. Through Covid-appropriate behaviour one can stop these waves."

"Now virus mutates and becomes more infectious. It is something which is beyond our control. But of course, if we do not allow this virus to replicate in our body then maybe this type of mutations can be avoided. What we can do to control is our behaviour. We have been talking about Covid appropriate behaviour for 15-16 months and we know that one can stop these waves altogether by following it. That had happened in the second wave as well," he said.

The Union health ministry on Sunday morning added to the official Covid-19 tally 58,419 fresh infections and 1,576 fatalities.

Prioritise reopening of biz: CII president

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) President T V Narendran has suggested that the Centre should follow a cautious approach in opening up of all activities with a view to avoid a possible third wave. "We should prioritise what activities should be allowed, rather than opening up everything. Avoid the avoidable activities. Social events, etc... can wait for a few months, let them wait. Why increase the risk," he told PTI. He cautioned that one should be "very" watchful before unlocking so that "we do not open up sooner than required and create a wave three".

Centre to SC: Cannot pay Rs 4L ex-gratia

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh cannot be paid to the families of those who have died of Covid-19 as it is beyond fiscal affordability. In an affidavit filed before the SC, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the Centre submitted that it has, by ways of ‘Minimum Standard Relief' under Section 12 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, taken several steps providing for substantial and speedy measures by way of increase in health, infrastructure, ensuring food safety to every citizen.

‘Govt resources are limited'

"Already the finances of state governments and the Centre are under severe strain due to the reduction in tax revenues and increase in health expenses on account of the pandemic...It is an unfortunate but important fact that the resources of the governments have limits and any additional burden through ex-gratia will reduce the funds available for other health and welfare schemes," the affidavit filed by the Centre said.

On June 11 , the Centre had told the SC that issues raised in the pleas, seeking directions for ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of Covid-19 victtims, are "genuine" and are under consideration of the government.

2,98,81,965
Total no. of Coronavirus cases in India so far

3,86,713
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far

7,29,243
Total no. of active cases in India

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