Assamis on alert over reports of a possible Covid-19 third wave striking soon. The Centre has asked the state Health department to prepare for the worst.
The Assam health department has asked medical college hospitals to immediately ready for childcare. The Population below 18 years, who are yet to be vaccinated, may be worst hit by the third wave, if it comes.
The recent guidelines on Operationalization ofCovid Care Servicesfor Children & Adolescents from the Union Government mentioned that as intermittent surges are expected, a combined effort from the private and public sector is needed to handle rising cases after the easing of the lockdown, school re-opening or as the third wave sets in over the next three to four months.
A target of achieving 1,000Paediatric Intensive Care Units(PICU) has been set in Assam, out of which the minimum goal is 10 in each district. Though children are the most vulnerable in the third wave, villages are also on the radar as they may turn into super-spreaders. State capital Guwahati is no more the biggest concern for virus infection as the focus has shifted to the districts with vast areas under gram panchayats.