Second Covid wave started in mid-Feb to last for 100 days: SBI report

The second wave is likely to last 100 days if counted from February 15, said the report.

Citing trends till March 23, the total number of infections in India in the second wave is expected to be around 25 lakh, the forecast said, reported NDTV.

Localised lockdowns or restrictions have not been effective and the only hope to win the battle against the pandemic is mass vaccination.

"Considering the number of days from the current level of daily new cases to the peak level during the first wave, India might reach the peak in the second half of April," it said.

The business activity index, based on high frequency indicators, has dipped in the last week, the report said. The impact of the lockdown or restrictions imposed by some states might reflect on economic activities next month.

It also suggested an increase in daily inoculation from current 34 lakh to 40-45 lakh per day. This would mean that all citizens over 45 years can be vaccinated in four months from now, it said.

The second wave of coronavirus infection has been attributed to the new strains "double mutant variant" of the coronavirus in addition to many other strains or variants of concern (VOCs) which have also been found abroad.

The Health Ministry on Wednesday said that the double mutant has been detected in 18 states in the country.

India today recorded 53,476 fresh coronavirus cases, the biggest single-day jump in over five months.