India endures new Covid wave - 28th April 2021

A billion people have been given the Covid-19 vaccine across the world. However, coronavirus cases in India have jumped to over 350,000 per 24 hour period. 2,800 deaths have been recorded in a single day.

Hospitals across the nation have had difficulty coping with the sharp rise in patients. Many were unable to accept or treat new patients.

Oxygen is running low. Now the government is transporting oxygen across the country by train to reach the cities most in need. The Indian Air Force is also being used to deliver necessary supplies. Its planes have flown in essential equipment from Singapore as well.

Some people believe the sudden leap in Covid-19 cases is due to a new variation in the virus. So far, there is no research to prove this. However, another cause may be the large, crowded festivals of Holi and Kumbh Mela. Over a million people joined in these celebrations.

India is one of the world's largest producers of Covid-19 vaccines and has distributed 60 million worldwide. Since India's own vaccine programme began in January, 100 million people have been protected from Covid. However, as the population is nearly 1.4 billion, the demand is great.

Oxygen and medical items are now being sent to India from abroad to assist at this difficult time.