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Published on: Jul 02, 2021
2 minute read
By: Dr Rakesh Rai

Delta Plus Variant Mystery: What Can Cause The Third Covid Wave?

Delta plus variant mystery: What can cause the third Covid wave?

Things in India are looking to normalize and beginning to reopen after a deadly second wave of Covid-19 infections devastated the country in April and May. There is various thought process from experts who are warning that a third wave could strike in the next few months. The majority of Indians are worried about new variants named delta plus, which is related to the Delta, an existing variant of concern first identified in India last year that was responsible for the deadly second wave.

The million-dollar question is how realistic these fears are. The reality is that future waves are not out of question but their severity and spread depend on several factors. In the past few weeks, the number of average daily cases in India has tapered down to less than 40,000 in recent days which was peak over 420,000 in May. The big drop in numbers has mainly because of strict lockdowns by states.

Many social and political events added to the second wave. If the reopening process are not orchestrated in a controlled fashion the next wave could come sooner than expected.

We are in a very decisive phase and our fate will depend on how we behave. Opening the states in a staggered manner is best. Going aggressive with vaccination and continue with COVID protocols will be the winning strategy. A balanced local and central health protocols could do the magic while severe action on defaulters could be used as a deterrent.

We know that the Delta variant had a killer impact during the second wave. The risk of future mutants in densely populated areas is known and preventive actions should be put in place immediately. There is no clear data around Delta plus but things have changed really fast when the proactive approach is not taken in advance. We need to understand that mutants only emerge when active transmission happening. A lot of research is happening around it take preemptive containment measures by understanding probable sequences.

So far data is indicating that the current vaccine is delivering good results in emerging mutants. India had sequenced 30,000 samples until June, but experts believe more needs to be done because the current vaccine is not a guaranteed long-term solution.

There are multiple cases where vaccinated people have got infected. Some call 3rd wave inevitable and some call it will be a smaller wave but the science is indicating that it will all depend on how effective our existing vaccine is against the new variants.

So, in conclusion, one can say that the key is the vaccinated population in controlling the wave and even allowing it to be formed. The acquired immunity and its efficacy will be crucial in determining the damage the third wave can cause. The required daily dose is upwards of 10 million to get all eligible populations covered by 2021.

The wide range of infection-causing natural antibodies and vaccination combined will provide the ammunition India needs badly to shield against future variants. The problem is the data around it is not very accurate. During the height of infections lot of COVID, infections went unreported. A lot of statisticians around it are guessing the acquired immunity percentage to be around 65%. This number should not be the reason we can take it easy.

Acquired immunity is immunity you develop over time from a vaccine or exposure to the infection.

Conclusively it can be said that “Third wave is only possible if the new variant beats the barriers of acquired immunity.”

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Secondmedic Lunch & Learns: How Combining Skill Building and Health Education Transforms Workplace Wellness

Corporate wellness is no longer limited to annual health checkups or fitness challenges. Modern organisations recognise that sustained employee wellbeing requires continuous learning, awareness and engagement. Secondmedic Lunch & Learns are designed around this philosophy, bringing together skill development and health education in a format that is practical, engaging and easy to implement.

By using informal lunchtime sessions, organisations create a safe, relaxed environment where employees can learn, ask questions and apply knowledge immediately.

What Are Lunch & Learn Sessions?

Lunch & Learn sessions are short, focused learning programs conducted during lunch hours.

They:

minimise disruption to work
encourage voluntary participation
promote informal learning

Secondmedic enhances this format by integrating health education with essential workplace skills.

Why Combine Skill Development with Health Education?

Health and performance are deeply interconnected.

Employees who understand:

stress management
nutrition
ergonomics
mental wellbeing

are better equipped to:

focus
collaborate
perform consistently

NITI Aayog workforce reports highlight that health literacy directly influences productivity and engagement.

The Growing Need for Workplace Health Education in India

India faces a rising burden of lifestyle diseases.

According to ICMR and NFHS-5:

a large portion of the working population has undiagnosed risk factors
stress and sedentary behaviour are increasing
health awareness remains low despite access to information

Workplaces offer the ideal platform for preventive health education.

How Secondmedic Lunch & Learns Are Structured

Secondmedic Lunch & Learns follow a structured yet flexible format:

short expert-led presentations
interactive discussions
real-life case examples
practical takeaways

Sessions are designed to be concise, engaging and actionable.

Health Topics Commonly Covered

Health education topics include:

preventive health and early detection
stress and mental wellbeing
nutrition for working professionals
sleep health and fatigue management
posture and ergonomic safety

These topics address everyday challenges faced by employees.

Skill-Focused Learning Areas

Alongside health, sessions also support professional growth through:

communication skills
time and energy management
resilience and adaptability
decision-making under pressure

This dual focus enhances overall workplace capability.

Benefits for Employees

Improved Health Awareness

Employees learn how daily habits affect long-term health.

Practical Skill Application

Skills taught can be used immediately at work and home.

Higher Engagement

Interactive sessions increase participation and interest.

Reduced Stress

Knowledge empowers employees to manage stress better.

Benefits for Employers

Stronger Wellness Culture

Learning-driven wellness signals genuine organisational care.

Better Productivity

Healthy, skilled employees perform more consistently.

Reduced Absenteeism

Preventive education lowers illness-related leave.

High ROI Initiative

Lunch & Learns are cost-effective and scalable.

EY-FICCI reports show that preventive wellness programs deliver long-term savings for organisations.

Why Lunch Hours Work Best

Lunchtime sessions:

feel informal and relaxed
encourage open participation
avoid meeting fatigue

Employees are more receptive when learning is integrated naturally into the day.

Virtual and Hybrid Lunch & Learns

Secondmedic adapts sessions for:

in-office teams
remote employees
hybrid workplaces

This ensures consistent learning experiences across locations.

Role of Medical and Subject Experts

Sessions are led by:

doctors
nutritionists
mental health professionals
trained facilitators

Expert-led content ensures accuracy and trust.

Encouraging Behaviour Change Through Education

Information alone does not drive change.

Secondmedic focuses on:

practical examples
small habit shifts
realistic goal setting

Lancet behaviour change studies confirm that interactive education improves long-term adherence.

Measuring Impact of Lunch & Learns

Organisations often observe:

higher session attendance
improved employee feedback
increased health screening participation
better engagement scores

These metrics demonstrate sustained value.

Aligning Lunch & Learns with Preventive Healthcare

Lunch & Learns complement:

preventive health checkups
wellness campaigns
digital health initiatives

They reinforce messages and encourage proactive health decisions.

Customisation for Organisational Needs

Secondmedic customises sessions based on:

workforce demographics
industry-specific risks
organisational goals

Tailored content improves relevance and impact.

Long-Term Value of Continuous Learning

Wellness is not a one-time intervention.

Regular Lunch & Learns:

reinforce healthy behaviours
build long-term awareness
create a learning culture

WHO emphasises continuous education as a pillar of workplace health promotion.

Conclusion

Secondmedic Lunch & Learns represent a modern, effective approach to corporate wellness by combining skill development with health education. These sessions empower employees with knowledge that improves both personal wellbeing and professional performance. Easy to implement, cost-effective and highly engaging, Lunch & Learns help organisations build healthier, more capable and more loyal teams. When learning and wellbeing come together, workplaces thrive.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Workplace Health and Lifestyle Studies
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health and Risk Factor Data
World Health Organization (WHO) – Workplace Health Promotion Guidelines
Lancet – Health Education and Behaviour Change Research
NITI Aayog – Workforce Productivity and Preventive Health Reports
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Employee Engagement Studies

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