At a time when the unprecedented surge in cases has overwhelmed the hospitals in the country, the US, Britain, France and Germany have offered support to India to fight the crisis.
As a deadly second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic sweeps the country, India saw a new record high with 3,52,991 fresh Covid cases and 2,812 deaths. At a time when the unprecedented surge in cases has overwhelmed the hospitals in the country, the US, Britain, France and Germany have offered support to India to fight the crisis.
This is now the fifth straight day that India has logged over three lakh cases. In the last 72 hours, nearly 10 lakh cases have been reported. On social media, top hospitals, helpless patients and their families and friends have been sending out SOS messages for medical oxygen and medicines.
The new surge in Covid-19 cases has taken the country’s caseload to 1.73 crore; 1.95 lakh people have died so far after contracting the virus. The second wave of coronavirus has “shaken the country”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. India’s top priority right now is to fight Covid, the Prime Minister said in his monthly radio address “Mann ki Baat”.
Assuring India and its people of providing all assistance, US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris said they will send necessary medical life-saving supplies and equipment to help the country combat the deadly coronavirus crisis.
“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,” Joe Biden said in a tweet.
Vice President Kamala Harris also took to Twitter to inform that the US is working with India to deploy support. “The US is working closely with the Indian government to rapidly deploy additional support and supplies during an alarming COVID-19 outbreak. As we provide assistance, we pray for the people of India -including its courageous healthcare workers,” Kamala Harris said.
The European Union, Germany and Israel have also offered help. Janez Lenarcic, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, tweeted: “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.”
551 medical oxygen generation plants across the country 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 also told officials to ensure that these plants are made functional as soon as possible.
As the government widens the vaccine net, all people above 18 years of age can get themselves vaccinated from Saturday. Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik recently announced that the state will vaccinate all its citizens for free. Earlier, many states including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh have also announced free vaccinations for its residents.
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