Covid numbers rise in India - 28th April 2021

Covid-19 cases are rising in India. The number of new cases has reached 350,000 each day. There have also been 2,800 deaths in just 24 hours.

Hospitals are treating large numbers of patients. Many are unable to accept patients. Hospitals don't have enough beds or medicines.

The situation is getting worse because more oxygen is needed everywhere. Covid patients often need oxygen to help them breathe. The government has organised trains to deliver oxygen to different Indian cities. Planes from the Indian Air Force are also transporting supplies.

The rise in numbers may be because Covid is changing. But there have also been two important festivals in India: Holi and Kumbh Mela. These took place recently with very large crowds.

India produces Covid-19 vaccines. It began vaccinating people in January and has now given the vaccine to over 100 million. Because there are around 1.4 billion people in India, many more vaccines are needed.

Help is now arriving in India. Countries are sending equipment and medicine to help people.