GANDHINAGAR: On April 30, Gujarat recorded its highest number of daily Covid-19 cases at 14,605 – at an average of 10 cases a minute! What could a third wave bring for the state? The state government is preparing for resources assuming cases will double – at 29,000 to 30,000 per day.
Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani told TOI that the state machinery’s focus is to ensure that the third wave doesn’t happen. “But if it happens, we are preparing the state machinery to respond it in the best possible manner. We are scientifically preparing an action plan to respond to the third wave,” he said. “The maximum daily cases may double compared to the second wave. We are drawing up district-wise action plans.”
The CM said they are ensuring that all citizens get beds, oxygen and medicines. “All district government hospitals and medical college infrastructure will be upgraded shortly,” said Rupani.
It is notable that the state has lifted several restrictions including the start of public transport, allowing 100% staff at government and private offices, and increasing business hours from Monday. The decision was taken after a steady fall in daily and active Covid-19 cases.
“In the second wave, we tried to control the pandemic by relatively less restrictions so the citizens don’t need to stop economic activities, and also to ensure that movements are not restricted unnecessarily,” said the CM. “While several other states opted for complete lockdown, we opted for limited lockdown with other restrictions. We still could bring the daily Covid cases down. We however are regularly monitoring the situation daily to ensure that there is no further rise in cases.”
Analysis of the three peaks of Covid-19 – in September, November and April – reveal that there was not much difference between the first two peaks as cases remained around 1,000 to 1,600. But the third peak in April was nine times higher than the previous peak. Experts said that the system took time to adjust to the massive surge.
