India is in crisis as it is hit by a second wave of the coronavisrus pandemic, and sets a global record for the number of new Covid cases reported in one day. In the last 24 hours there has been a total of 314,835 new cases of the virus, which is the highest anywhere in the world.
The total number of confirmed cases in India is now close to 16 million, second only to the US’s 31.9 million. India also saw its worst daily death toll in the same period, with a rise of 2,104 people dying.
In addition, an oxygen shortage is causing increased concern about its already overwhelmed health care system.
The central government has been publicly criticised for how it is handling the crisis in the country. They have been ordered to ensure safe passage of oxygen supplies from factories to hospitals across India.
Crowds are gathering outside hospitals, and with many filled to capacity, the health services are struggling to cope. People are appealing for oxygen, and many have died while waiting for supplies. It’s heartbreaking for families who have loved ones in hospital to now fear they may soon run out of oxygen.
The country is already under partial lockdown since 14 April, and plans to introduce tighter restrictions. The hope is that this will help combat the steep surge in cases.
Emergency intervention from the government has so far stopped any big disaster, but many still ask how they allowed things to get so dire. The pandemic was under control in January, but this time was not used to the benefit of health facilities. People are now paying the price and left feeling helpless.
There is an urgent need to give hospitals enough oxygen to enable sustaining the increasing caseload.
What caused the latest wave?
The rapid rise in case numbers in India over the past month is driven by lax safety protocols and a Hindu festival attended by millions. Huge election rallies also continue, with voting happening in phases. But the government defends the decision to continue with the polling.
The situation is also not helped by the presence a new mutant strain of the virus in the country.
India has been criticised for a lack of drive in vaccinations, which needs to pick up quickly to contain the spread. They have administered more than 130 million doses so far, but it has been restricted to frontline staff, health workers, people over the age of 45 and those with medical conditions.
People over the age of 18 will also be eligible for the vaccine from 1 May. But supply issues could affect this and slow it down further.
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