Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prominence of Initial Public Health Interference

Infect Disord Drug Targets. 2022;22(4):e080222200919. doi: 10.2174/1871526522666220208115101.

Abstract

Since the first news of a coronavirus-related pneumonia outbreak in December 2019, the virus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), which causes COVID-19, has spread worldwide, with more than 100 million people infected in over 210 countries and two million deaths. In the UK (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351), Brazil (P.1), and India (B.1.617), independent SARS-CoV-2 lineages have recently been established. The virus accesses these variants via the angiotensin- converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptor due to several mutations in the immune-dominant spike protein. SARS-CoV-2 has caused substantial morbidity and mortality, as well as significant strain on public health systems and the global economy, due to the severity and intensity at which it has spread. COVID-19 vaccines have shown to be highly successful in clinical trials and can be used to fight the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic's environmental trends change at breakneck speed, making predictions based on traditional epidemiological knowledge particularly speculative. Following the first outbreak, the second wave of COVID-19 swept across the globe, infecting various countries. The third wave of coronavirus infection has already been experienced in a few countries. Many of us have said, "When this is over," but what exactly does that mean? Since the virus's first-, second-, and third-order effects manifest over various time periods, the pandemic will not be considered 'over' until the 'third phase' of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. It is the best time to take preventative steps and immunize ourselves with vaccines in order to prepare for the predicted third wave of COVID-19 in some countries. In order to effectively suppress and monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, early and timely measures with improved social distancing policies should be enforced. We must continue critical public health efforts to suppress transmission and reduce mortality while working toward the rollout of a safe and efficient vaccine, and we must have the patience to listen, learn, improve, innovate, and evolve.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccines; SARS-CoV-2; new variants; pandemic; public health; respiratory droplets.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Public Health
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / genetics
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / metabolism

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants