The panel had earlier received flak for not predicting the ferocity of the second wave of COVID-19 in the country. In the pessimistic scenario, the third wave could see daily COVID-19 cases rise up between 1,50,000 and 2,00,000 in the country, the scientist noted. The figure is less than half of what was recorded when the deadly second wave had hit its peak in the first half of May, flooding hospitals with patients and claiming thousands of lives daily. On May 7, India had recorded 4,14,188 COVID-19 cases, the highest during the second wave. If a new mutant emerges, the third wave could spread rapidly, but it will be half of what the second wave was.

Source: The Hindu July 03, 2021 19:18 UTC