A second wave of COVID-19 cases is rapidly sweeping across the country. India is witnessing a daily spurt of over 50,000 Coronavirus cases, even as the country observed the first anniversary of the pandemic-triggered lockdown last month. Maharashtra continues to lead the surge of the viral outbreak, while Punjab, Kerala, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have emerged as other worrying hot spots.

Rising number of COVID-19 infections has sent authorities in a few States in overdrive to contain the spread of the deadly virus. Partial restrictions and lockdowns also been announced in some districts and cities of Maharashtra. There are concerns that many other States could follow suit and impose localised lockdowns of a week or two. If cases continue to rise in coming weeks, the localised, short-term lockdowns could extend across States and for a longer period of time.

A story of hope and despair is unfolding as they take turns to outdo each other across many sectors of the economy. Just as a set of macroeconomic numbers point to a recovery in a particular month, there is another set of data spreading the gloom of a downturn the very next month. Such a see-saw of data related to exports, imports, sale of automobiles and other consumer products and factory output shows that the domestic economy is still not out of the woods.

Besides, high jobless rate, coupled with wage and salary cuts across sectors, has badly dented consumer confidence and battered the sale of goods and services across segments. Moreover, the weak banking sector and plunging private sector investment have further weakened the fragile economic recovery.

It is against this backdrop that the second wave of the viral pandemic projects an alarming scenario. However, the reality is not as grim as it is made out to be. First of all, the second surge of March 2021 is, in fact, a pale shadow of the viral outbreak of March 2020. A year ago, Coronavirus was an unknown enigma, which had created fear in India after having wreaked havoc across Europe and America. A year later, India has been fortunate to have limited the spread of the virus, to have achieved better recovery rate and to have witnessed a minuscule death rate.

Besides, there is a potent weapon of vaccines available across the world, including India. India has vaccinated almost 2.3 per cent of its population. Considering the pace at which the country is vaccinating its citizens, analysts estimate that 30 per cent of Indian population is likely to be inoculated by the end of this year.

Another silver lining is that even as COVID-19 cases multiply across the country at an alarming rate, the death rate is negligible. Medical experts note that the new strain of the virus may be spreading infection rapidly, but it is a harmless strain, leading to quicker recovery and lower number of death.

This silver lining should become the guiding force of the authorities across the country. The governments – both Central and State – should desist from sending out alarming messages. They should also stay away from taking drastic steps like lockdowns, even as they should advocate pandemic-appropriate behaviour, such as wearing mask, sanitisation and maintaining physical distancing. But any overdrive beyond these measures into lockdowns and other strict curbs could end up emasculating the fragile economic recovery.