India reported a record number of coronavirus infections for the fifth straight day on April 26. Remarkably, the official death toll also boosted.
According to official data, there were 352,991 new reported cases over 24 hours. Meanwhile, total infection numbers surpassed 17 million.
At least 2,812 people died, which lifted the total death toll to more than 195,000. Media reports announce that the official death is likely lower than the real figure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has faced criticism. Earlier this year, they allowed large crowds to gather for religious festivals and election rallies in various parts of India. Before the second wave, India had on average about 10,000 new infections daily.
However, in April, India has reported over 5 million new cases, sending India’s health care system to the brink.
Hospitals are suffering from overcrowding issues and are turning away even critically ill patients. Moreover, there is a severe oxygen supply shortage, partly due to uneven distribution across states. That has led to the deaths of many coronavirus patients as the government scrambles to send supplies to the worst-hit states by road, rail, and air.
The international community is ready to help India
The international community promised to send India desperately needed help.
The U.S. will send raw materials needed for the South Asian nation to ramp up manufacturing of AstraZeneca’s vaccine locally.
America will also provide the country with therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and protective equipment. According to the U.S., it will also send a team of public health advisors to India from the Center for Disease Control and USAID.
That came after Britain, France, and Germany pledged assistance over the weekend. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to India’s request for aid via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Moreover, China’s foreign ministry announced last week that Beijing is in communication with the country and is ready to provide support and help.
Additionally, Singapore state investor Temasek reported on Sunday that it partnered with Air India and Amazon India to airlift medical equipment, including oxygen concentrators and ventilators from the city-state. The medical supplies were sent to the financial capital of Mumbai in Maharashtra and the eastern state of West Bengal, where infections are boosting.
The Giant Tech firms like Microsoft and Google have also publicly pledged to help.
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