Shekhar's Science Blog

Friday, July 9, 2021

Lock Down Needed

 

Lock Down Needed

 

Dr Himanshu Shekhar

 

Thank you readers for the giving me unconditional support through viewing my analysis. Please note it is a purely mathematical exercise, by converting a discrete and unconnected data using continuous distribution, for prediction as well as assessment.

 

Introduction

Till one week back, I was optimistic about non-existence of third wave in light of reduced number of daily confirmed and deceased cases.

 

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3805764448716920548/7039368766954804280

 

However, as indicated in last post, neither the daily confirmed cases reduced below 10000, nor the percentage deceased is reduced to less than 1.0%. In light of this, the situation of last year is likely to be repeated. Lockdown was lifted in June 2020 and peak came somewhere in September 2020. Rather than that one more month of lockdown extension would have given a better result, last year. This year also, the daily confirmed cases has not gone down to expected level (10000) and with opening of lockdown, where the slogan of “full hospital and empty hotels” is replaced with “empty hospitals and full hotels”, the third wave is likely to sweep India. It is purely negligence of people, who are eager to go to tourist spots to support the dying tourism industry at the cost of third wave in the country. Either government should do or people should restrain themselves.

 

Current Situation

Daily confirmed cases are monitored with respected to my prediction made on 09.05.2021 and after two months, the cases would have gone down to less than 10000 cases. However, in last 18 days, the value is around 40000, which is 4-times higher than prediction. More than the numerical value, the trend of stagnation is visible, which may be fatal.  




The stagnation may be responsible for subsequent rise in the values. Same is the situation with daily deceased cases. This is also stagnating around 1000. Although downward trend is observed but the value is still much above 1.0%. The current value is 1.86%, and it is going above 2.0%, also.

 



Wave Calculation

The comparison of first and second wave gave a 4-fold increase in amplitude and time duration is reduced by a factor of 2.7. However, with same factor, the third wave will come faster and it is an unlikely assumption. It is depicted below but is irrelevant.

 



Second assumption of third wave with equal magnitude as second wave is at present valid. If instead of going further down, daily confirmed cases pick up to rise from this point, the likely curve is shown below. However, pick up time will be later than predicted by this assumption.

 


The basic problem with such wave type assumption is that, the duration between any two consecutive waves could not be ascertained correctly, by any formation. If wave starts then further prediction is possible, but the in-between period is not following any variation. The valley between first and second wave is slightly skewed with fall of first wave is much slower than the rise of second wave. In fact, now we are at the falling curve of second wave, which has slowed down. The wait is for the rise to happen. If an optimized symmetrical parabolic curve is fitted to the curve, the lowest point of daily confirmed cases is observed on 20.07.2021 with minimum of 20000 and now we have to wait and watch the rising trend of daily confirmed cases.  

 



Conclusion

The third wave can be controlled only by active participation of people. With current trend of daily confirmed cases, third wave is being invited by the stagnation of daily confirmed cases. The cases are not going down, as expected and now only rise is expected by the type of negligence displayed by various parts of the country. It will be fine if a 15 days lockdown is imposed to bring the daily confirmed cases to less than 10000. All the best. Stay safe in unlocked India.

 

Dr Himanshu Shekhar

 

Saturday, July 3, 2021

No Third Wave Reiterated

 

No Third Wave Reiterated

 

Dr Himanshu Shekhar

 

Thank you readers for the giving me unconditional support through viewing my analysis. Please note it is a purely mathematical exercise, by converting a discrete and unconnected data using continuous distribution, for prediction as well as assessment.

 

Introduction

I am regularly posting on my blog about different forms of mathematical analysis to understand the trends in confirmed cases, deceased and third wave. Analytical approach is presented and prediction tools are developed for the same. I made a prediction on 09.05.2021 about the turnaround using normal distribution curve and the same is still valid. However, rate of fall of daily confirmed cases declined in recent past. The daily number of deceased, which was around 1% till turnaround of second wave of 07.05.2021, increased to around 4.0%. At present also it is above 1.5%. The possibility of third wave is also predicted using damped vibration equation with different logic. This post is to take stock of daily confirmed cases and daily deceased cases. The main emphasis is negating possibilities of third wave through various arguments.

  

No Third Wave

Third wave is hyped by all corners, but I am still not able to understand the origin of this innovative concept, which gripped the nation. We as Indians have to work collectively and think as a community to fight against this pandemic. We are doing it and the third wave is going to be a myth, in light of strict adherence of COVID-Appropriate Behaviour by Indian citizens.

 

https://himanshushekharscience.blogspot.com/2021/05/prediction-of-third-wave-in-india.html

https://himanshushekharscience.blogspot.com/2021/06/india-on-path-of-recovery-from-second.html

 

Two approaches for predicting third wave was presented - (i) Amplitude multiplied by 4 and duration reducing by a factor of 2.7 and (ii) Third wave of equal amplitude and duration as second wave. The situation as on 03.07.2021, as per both the approaches is shown below.

 

 


 

First approach seems to be negating presence of third wave, if by the end of next week, daily confirmed cases drops to less than 10000. Hopefully the slow fall of daily confirmed cases will prevent further rise in number of cases, merging with the predicted third wave.

 

 


 

As per second approach, a little longer wait is needed. But as per declining tendency, any rising trend is again very unlikely, as per the created mathematical trend.

In addition to this mathematical calculation, following arguments are put forth, which negates presence of any third wave in India:

  1. People are following COVID-Appropriate Behaviour meticulously.
  2. Awareness has penetrated to general public to control the pandemic.
  3. The cases are discrete, isolated and discontinuous and any prediction made by anybody (including me) has no basis, except for the trend analysis.
  4. Mathematical trend denies existence of any rhythmic pattern for the third wave.
  5. Making infections less than a critical threshold value may prevent any subsequent rise.
  6. Rise in lethality leads to reduce spread for such pandemic.
  7. Darwin’s Survival of the Fittest prevailed and all with weak immunity have already suffered. The remaining lot has higher resistance.
  8. A large population is already infected and cured from the disease.
  9. A large number of vaccination is already administered.
  10. Claim of rise in September, being a festival season may prove wrong by participation of people, in exactly same way, as it was executed last year.
  11. Media has also diverted attention away from pandemic, as people are passive and neutral to pandemic related news.
  12. Addressing third wave, as dangerous for kids is also based on wrong notion of non-vaccinated mass and less immunity. Kids have higher immunity, as explained in my video, some time back.

 

Despite all correct, pleasant and encouraging vibes, it must be kept in mind that even 1 infected person can spread it to 1000. So with people’s participation, only control can be exercised. But Third wave is highly unlikely to sweep India, in near future, if people are alert.

 

Daily Confirmed Cases

Daily confirmed cases were reviewed several times in past 2 months in various posts.

 

https://himanshushekharscience.blogspot.com/2021/05/covid-under-control-in-india.html

https://himanshushekharscience.blogspot.com/2021/05/salient-parameters-one-week-after.html

https://himanshushekharscience.blogspot.com/2021/05/comparison-of-confirmed-cases-with.html

https://himanshushekharscience.blogspot.com/2021/06/covid-under-control-in-india-with-rider.html

https://himanshushekharscience.blogspot.com/2021/06/india-below-1-lakh.html

 


 

The situation on 03.07.2021 is reviewed again through plots. The rate of decline of daily confirmed cases is slower than prediction. The daily confirmed cases are still above 40000, where it is predicted to be less than 10000, as per optimized normal distribution curve on 09.05.2021. The cumulative confirmed cases is also moving as per prediction. However, we have to keep our fingers crossed to conceive any rise ion daily confirmed cases, due to any unwanted case-booster activities including religious, social or cultural activities.

  


 

Daily Deceased Cases

The daily confirmed cases is now less than 1000. However, as percentage of daily confirmed cases, it is around 1.58%. This number must reduce to less than 1.0%, to indicate a better immunity and strength of the population. Ideally, the value should be around 0.5% and daily deceased must reduce to (40000x0.5/100 =) 200. Actual value is 738, which needs 4-fold decrease, urgently for the current situation.   

 


 

Conclusion

The third wave can be controlled only by active participation of people. With current trend of daily confirmed cases, third wave is unlikely to happen. People have to be vigilant and active with commitment to fight any case-booster activities. The slow decline of daily confirmed cases is a concern, but reduction is always a welcome data. Similarly daily deceased as percentage of daily confirmed cases must reach 0.50% to indicate reduction in fatality. I am not finding any reason to see any third wave in India, if people of India desires so. All the best.

Stay safe in unlocked India.

 

Dr Himanshu Shekhar