The third wave of coronavirus is likely to hit this year. But when exactly is it going to arrive? There are murmurs that early signs of the wave are already there. Then there are diametrically opposite hot takes as well. What are most of the experts (be they virologists, epidemiologists or doctors/professors) thinking?

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Reuters recently conducted a poll in which more than 40 experts participated. As per a report, 85% of 24 respondents stated that the next wave will arrive by October. The rest of them feel it will hit by August. There is also an opinion that the third wave will not hit India before December.

Most of the experts are of the view that the third wave won't trouble India much, considering that vaccinations have been rolled out and herd immunity is believed to have set in to an extent (albeit not fully).

Most of the experts said that children will be at risk in the third wave. This is a piece of worrying news. But there are some experts who have said that there is no evidence to say that children will be the most affected segment.

It's reported, meanwhile, that the Maharashtra COVID-19 task force is expecting the third wave to hit the State in 2-4 weeks. If it's ring-fenced within the State, it wouldn't be a headache in the immediate future.