Pratibha Raman/Bengaluru

Have COVID cases ebbed in India? Well, the previous week’s tally was 2.66 lakh. From July 26 to August 1, the country has recorded just over 2.86 lakh cases, which is a 7.5% rise after a steady decline in the last 11 weeks. To answer your question, no COVID in India is set to get brutal with the third wave, according to researchers led by Mathukumalli Vidyasagar and Manindra Agrawal at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Hyderabad and Kanpur.

Nearly half of India’s one-day surge is being witnessed in Kerala with over 20,700 new COVID cases. Neighbouring Karnataka has decided to protect its borders. Given the spike in cases in neighbouring Kerala and Maharashtra, the government led by CM BS Bommai has taken several precautionary steps including making negative test reports mandatory for incoming travellers, special teams for screening and so on, said former Karnataka health minister Dr K Sudhakar.

However, people in Karnataka seem unperturbed by the wreckage caused by COVID second wave. These are pictures from Chamrajnagar, the Karnataka district that shares its border with Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Tourists are seen rushing to spend time at the Barachukki Cauvery waterfall. They are gathering in crowds, taking a dip, not wearing masks nor maintaining social distance. Caution regarding the deadly virus thrown to the wind.

“Tourist places can become hotspots and super spreaders if people let their guard down. The government has been constantly trying to create awareness and keep the people reminded that the pandemic is still not over. We need to understand that we can win the battle against COVID only with the cooperation of people,” added Sudhakar.

Ironically, it was in Chamrajnagar that 23 deaths due to alleged oxygen shortage was witnessed at a COVID-19 treatment facility on May 3. This was during the time when the second wave ravaged Karnataka leaving many of its citizens gasping for breath.

“People say doctors have done a fantastic job. Please prevent the spread by following appropriate behavior and help us. The third wave is in the hands of citizens, not just the virus,” said Dr Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, Manipal Institute of Nephrology and Urology.

“We need to take measures to curb the virus. If not, the infection can overwhelm the system and Karnataka will soon be as crippled as how Delhi was a few months ago. Be it tourists or anyone else, we need to decrease transmission,” said Dr Mathew Jacob, Aster CMI Hospital.

According to Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, there has been a rising demand for “nature destinations”. In fact, there was a massive crowd witnessed at Nandi Hills on the outskirts of Bengaluru, which prompted authorities to bar tourist entry from 6pm on Friday to 6am on Monday.

“I think the presumption that vaccines are going to keep them safe from COVID is what is driving such behaviour. And the uncertainty around the third wave. I don’t justify the behaviour, but I’m listing the reason,” said Malavika Avinash, BJP spokesperson.

In terms of vaccination, Karnataka has administered 3 crore doses, according to Sudhakar.

“People think that when you are fully vaccinated, you are totally immune to the virus. That is not the case. Vaccines don’t prevent COVID, but the disease isn’t expected to be severe. However, there is no guarantee of this either. We need to get your immunity up,” added Dr Jacob.

“I have been a strong advocate of vaccines. And I think strict fining and banning large gatherings should be followed or else we’d be slaves to the virus,” added Dr Ballal.

Sudhakar claimed that the Karnataka Government has been very proactive in taking both preventive and preparatory measures to tackle the third wave. “Be it forming an expert panel headed by Dr Devi Shetty, training of doctors in paediatric care, continuously ramping up critical care infrastructure, setting up of oxygen plants, the state has been very vigilant,” he said.

Playing with the vicious cycle of lockdown and unlock, the government too is in a fix. The virus has indeed pushed people too far, politicians included.