The novel Coronavirus’s new variant, Delta Plus, could double the number of patients very quickly if the third wave hits us, the health department has warned. The caution came at a preparedness meeting that CM Uddhav Thackeray led on Wednesday.

The first wave’s (19 lakh cases) doubling period was much less than the second wave (40 lakh cases). “The active cases in the third wave could be about 8 lakh, 10 per cent of which could be children,” said the department during a presentation.