All eyes are now on the Ganeshotsav, which, according to the BMC and the state COVID-19 task force, will decide the intensity of the third wave. Officials said they will get a clear picture by the end of this month. If daily cases don’t rise significantly, it would mean citizens have enough antibodies and the third outbreak will not be as deadly as the second one, they added. However, if infections start spiking rapidly, it can be understood that the third wave has struck the city. The proper assessment of the COVID-19 situation will be done seven to 10 days after the Ganpati festival is over, said officials. 

A senior-level civic official said, “We are instructing citizens to not get together during the festivities. But, we know, people will still go to their relatives’ place for Ganpati festival.” He added that a huge number of Konkani people living in the city will be travelling to their villages for the festival. “If the COVID-19 cases do not rise after the festival, then we will be relieved.”