The India COVID Crisis

6/8/2021

Faizan Khalid

India is currently facing up to 400,000 reported COVID-19 cases per day.

Since March of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant toll on every country, amassing nearly 158 million cases worldwide. However, the situation has eased in many places around the world following the 2021 rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. In the United States alone, more than 257 million vaccines have been administered, amounting to two-thirds of adults in the country. While countries like the U.S. are finally experiencing success in vaccinating people and containing COVID-19, things are looking far worse in India.

By late 2020 and early 2021, COVID cases began to decline worldwide, leading to the easing of restrictions in certain parts of the world. The falling numbers ignited conversations about whether Indians, especially those living in densely populated urban centers, might have already been exposed to the virus, thus obtaining the immune defenses that prevent reinfection. This rhetoric resulted in people not taking COVID as seriously as they were at its peak, and it most certainly has had its drawbacks.

Currently, India is reporting up to 400,000 reported cases per day with 22 million total deaths. Experts have suggested that the number is likely much higher than those documented. The cause of the crisis is complicated as there are many factors to consider.

Primarily, India’s large population density facilitated the transfer of the virus. With houses and stores being so close together, it was inevitable that the virus would spread with citizens refusing to wear masks and socially distance.

This strong wave has devastated the country. Fortunately, foreign countries have been at the forefront to help the citizens of India. For example, the White House announced on April 29th that it would send $100 million worth of aid to India, including 15 million N95 masks, 1 million rapid diagnostic tests, and an initial delivery of 1,100 refillable oxygen cylinders. Similarly, the British government released a statement that it would be sending 1,000 more ventilators, on top of what it promised last week, which included 200 ventilators, 495 oxygen concentrators and 3 oxygen generation units.

With this foreign aid being given to India, we should hold India in our thoughts and prayers as the death toll continues to increase.

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