India Coronavirus Cases: More than 1.95 lakh people have died so far.
With 3,52,991 fresh Covid cases and 2,812 deaths, India saw a new record high as a deadly second wave sweeps the country. The US, Britain, France and Germany have offered support as the unprecedented surge overwhelms the country's hospitals.
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This is fifth straight day that over 3 lakh cases have been recorded by the country. Nearly 10 lakh cases have been reported in the last 72 hours. Top hospitals, helpless patients and their families and friends have been sending out SOS messages for medical oxygen and medicines on social media.
The fresh surge takes the country's caseload to 1.73 crore; 1.95 lakh people have died so far after contracting the virus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the second wave of coronavirus has "shaken the country". India's top priority right now is to fight Covid, the Prime Minister said in his monthly radio address "Mann ki Baat".
US President Joe Biden has said the US is "determined to help India in its time of need". "Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need," he said in a tweet.
The US confirmed on Sunday it will "immediately" make available sources of raw materials required to scale up production of the Covishield coronavirus vaccine in India.
Life-saving medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, are being sent from the United Kingdom to India "to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday.
The European Union, Germany and Israel have also offered help. "Upon request for assistance by #India, we have activated the #EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The EU will do its utmost to mobilise assistance to support people of IN. Our #ERCC is already coordinating EU MS that are ready to provide urgently needed #oxygen & medicine rapidly," tweeted Janez Lenarcic, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management.
Across the country, 551 medical oxygen generation plants will be set up using the PM-Cares Fund, the government said on Sunday. "Oxygen plants in every district to ensure adequate oxygen availability... An important decision that will boost oxygen availability to hospitals and help people across the nation. (sic)," PM Modi said in a tweet. He told officials to ensure that these plants are made functional as soon as possible.
Delhi has extended the lockdown by another week as Covid cases continue to rise. "Coronavirus still continues to wreak havoc in the city. Public opinion is that lockdown should increase. So the lockdown is being extended for one week," Arvind Kejriwal said yesterday.
All people above 18 years of age can get themselves vaccinated from Saturday as the government widens the vaccine net. Maharashtra, Rajasthan and several other states have said they will vaccinate all citizens for free.
Worldwide, over 100 crore doses of vaccines have been administered so far. More than 14 crore people have contracted the virus since the first case was reported from China's Wuhan over a year ago; 30 lakh people have died.
