The recent surge of COVID-19 cases across India, being referred to as the ‘second wave of COVID-19’, is undoubtedly the result of the emergence of new coronavirus strains, coupled with the lax approach towards physical distancing curbs and measures.
The second wave of COVID-19 started in the first week of February 2021 with a significant rise in new cases. So what led to this sudden surge and what is different this time that was not seen during the first wave of COVID-19?
In the Spotlight: Second Wave of Coronavirus
The term ‘second wave’ primarily refers to the pattern in which the infection spread like a wave with peaks and troughs during a pandemic. The disease infects a population set during the first wave, and then there is a dip in the infection rate. Once again, the said population faces a surge in infection (second wave) when least expected, which is generally much more severe than the first wave.
India is currently going through the second wave of COVID-19 where the infection is spreading faster and is noticeably severe than during the first wave, which was experienced in August-September 2020.
Reasons For Sharp Rise of Cases in The Second Wave
India announced that a new ‘double-mutant variant (B.1.617 variant) and a ‘triple mutant variant (B.1.618) of the novel coronavirus has been detected in a significant number of samples collected across various states.
A mutation is an alteration or change in the structure of a living cell or virus. In simple terms, a virus has the nature to mutate or change its structure or sequence of genetic material, depending on the scale of transmission. Hence, the more the virus spreads, the more it will mutate.
Along with this, the opening up of public places, allowing people to participate in large social gatherings, not strictly enforcing the wearing of masks, and not following social distancing measures, has fuelled the second wave of COVID-19 in India.
Experts suggest that the peak of the coronavirus second wave is projected to be around mid-may 2021. However, with the current data available, certain inferences about how the second wave of COVID-19 is different from the first wave can be explained. Read on to find out!
1. Are more younger people getting infected?
According to a report by the Union Health Ministry of India, in the current second wave, younger individuals in the age group between 15 to 45 years are getting infected and hospitalized, compared to the first wave that saw patients mostly above 55 years of age.
Government officials are reporting severe infections seen in people around 30 years of age with no comorbidities and a higher fatality rate is observed if comorbidities, such as obesity (excessive fat accumulation), diabetes (excessive blood glucose levels), and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) are present.
2. Are children getting easily infected from coronavirus now?
During the first wave of COVID-19, few children showed some symptoms and hence, most cases of infected children went unnoticed or unreported.
The second wave is seeing children as young as 15 years of age, being infected with higher severity of symptoms.
3. Do the new variants spread faster?
The one thing that experts are sure of is that the new mutant variants have a greater transmission rate and families - from children to grandparents, are testing positive for the COVID-19 virus.
Experts are certain that the virus has changed its traits and is more infectious. While individuals were spreading the infection to only 3 to 4 healthy people who were their immediate contacts during the first wave, this number has significantly jumped to about 8 to 9 people in the current second coronavirus wave.
4. Are people experiencing severe symptoms of coronavirus?
Researchers say that it might be a little too early to comment on the severity of the illness during the second wave.
Doctors believe the COVID-19 infection is acute and the lung damage, which was manifested in about 2 weeks during the first wave, is now seen in just about 4 to 5 days.
This clearly explains the need for high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNOT) to be given on a priority basis, to most infected patients. Some experts have also noticed high-grade fever (temperatures above 100.4°F or 38°C) as a distinguishing symptom during the second wave. Other symptoms noticed commonly during the second wave include conjunctivitis, dry mouth, skin infections or rashes, and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and vomiting.
Having said this, remember that extensive research is still being carried out to study more about the severity of the second wave infection.
The bottom line is, with newer cases coming to the limelight, tons of research and studies are being undertaken across India and abroad to investigate the disease further. While the COVID-19 second wave is being constantly monitored, we will all have to work together to slow its spread and possibly prevent the third wave.
It is advisable to stay indoors as much as possible, get yourself vaccinated for COVID-19, wear proper masks and maintain social distancing in the meanwhile.
References:
1. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344487036_Emergence_of_second_wave_of_SARS-CoV-2_infections_during_the_ongoing_COVID-19_pandemic> [Accessed 21 April 2021].
2. En.wikipedia.org. 2021. COVID-19 pandemic in India - Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic_in_India> [Accessed 21 April 2021].
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