Covid second wave may claim 2,320 lives per day by June: Report

A report by Lancet COVID-19 Commission has warned that the second wave of the pandemic is likely to claims 1750-2320 lives per day in the country by the first week of June 2021 if appropriate measures are not taken to curb its spread. The report titled "Managing India's second Covid-19 wave: Urgent steps" notes that Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat will likely remain the most affected.

From 11,794 cases in the first week of February to 152,565 as of April 10, 2021, the second wave of the pandemic has hit India hard. The death rate also increased in the period from 116 to 838. The report adds that India may need to spend more than $7.8 billion on testing and $1.7 billion on health care utilisation due to Covid-19 infections leading to death by September 2021.

"All efforts need to be made to break the transmission chain and reduce the rate of new infections, with minimum disruption to the economy and to the livelihood of its people," the report said while adding that accelerating the vaccination process is integral.

"The past year has shown us, both within India and in other countries, that strong political will, together with building preparedness in the health system, and individual and community behaviour change can yield powerful results. We hope that strong, decisive actions taken now will spare India a long second wave and set in place actions to prevent further waves of Covid-19 infections," the report said.