The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in December 2019, has profoundly impacted millions of families in India, affecting their physical, mental, and economic well-being. The first wave peaked in September 2020, with a gradual decline until February 2021, largely due to a nationwide lockdown, resulting in relatively mild outcomes. However, the second wave, from February to December 2021, proved devastating, marked by high mortality and morbidity rates. During this period, the Delta variant (B.1.617.2), first identified in Maharashtra, emerged as the dominant strain, surpassing the earlier Kappa and Alpha variants. The third wave commenced in late December 2021, driven by the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). As of July 2022, India reported over 42 million COVID-19 cases and more than 500,000 deaths, making it the second-most affected country globally. Maharashtra and Kerala have the highest cumulative case counts and deaths, reflecting the severe impact of the pandemic.
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Scientific Report 2024