India on tail of 3rd wave to gradually move towards endemic said AIIMS chief

New Delhi , As COVID-19 instances continue to fall below 20,000, Randeep Guleria, Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, warned on Friday that the country is now experiencing the ‘tail’ of the third wave, but that it will eventually reach endemic status.

According to Guleria, who spoke exclusively to ANI, “The number of COVID-19 instances in India is decreasing. We will eventually reach a point where it will become endemic, but I believe we are still in the tail end of the third wave.”

A disease outbreak is endemic when it is consistently present but limited to a particular region. A pandemic is declared when the disease is spread across various countries, as per the World Health Organisation data.

Dr Guleria also urged the people to follow the COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

“We must be cautious over the appropriate behaviour which is very important. People must follow the guidelines which are from the Government of India,” he said.

He further explained the importance of the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive in the country.

“For those who have not caught themselves vaccinated, I would like to reassure them once more that please come get yourself vaccinated. Don’t be worried about what social media says about the side effects vaccines are safe. They will also protect you from severe disease hospitalisation and death. If you have to take your second dose, do please come forward.”

Dr Guleria’s remarks came while attending a mega blood donation camp organised by AIIMS this time.

India registered as many as 13,166 fresh COVID-19 infections with a positivity rate of 1.28 per cent and 302 fatalities in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed on Friday. The ministry informed that about 176.86 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive to fight against the virus.

On February 24, India reported 14,148 fresh COVID-19 cases. On February 23, India reported as many as 15,102 fresh COVID-19 infections.