Almost all states are readying special paediatric wards as some experts warn unvaccinated children could be vulnerable to any new virus mutations. States including Madhya Pradesh are also stocking up on anti-viral drugs such as Remdesivir.

But with a government survey estimating as many as two-thirds of Indians already have COVID-fighting antibodies through natural infection, and 57% of its adults with at least an initial vaccine dose, many health experts believe any new outbreak of infections could be much less devastating than the second wave.

“Schools are an essential service. It has been wisely said that they should be the last to close and the first to reopen,” said a report released on Monday on school education by a group of scholars, including economist and social scientist Jean Dreze, that warned of a “looming disaster”.