Crowded shopping malls and market places combined with the flouting of health rules and social distancing have been disappointing our health experts who warn of a third wave of the Covid-19 soon in the country. Mass movement of people is currently occurring as we have already lifted restrictions on road and water routes. Besides, we have so far vaccinated only about four percent of the population and do not have the enough vaccine doses to expedite it to achieve herd immunity at the soonest.
Leading public health experts and virologists have warned that the country is likely to experience the third wave as the virus is around the corner and there is no room for complacency. According to a news report published in a national daily on Thursday, the experts’ fear is rooted in the lowering of guard by the authorities and the general public amid an improving trend of the coronavirus situation. Against this backdrop, they have urged the people to strictly maintain health guidelines while participating in economic activities, which are gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels. Experts said the infection and death rates are still above the danger level and the withdrawal of restrictions on all economic and social activities, except education institutions, may fuel another spike.
The infection rate in Bangladesh was 11.95 per cent on August 31, while it was 29.97 percent on August 1, states DGHS data. An infection rate above five per cent is widely considered to be in the danger level. If there are no corona cases and deaths for two to three weeks, then it can be said the situation is under control. We must try by all means to avoid a third wave. This means getting stricter about health rules and procurement of enough vaccines and strengthening of vaccination as it is the key to curbing hospitalisations and deaths. Loopholes in the healthcare system should be plugged in to prove equal to the challenge of preventing a third wave of the pandemic in our country.
