Journalism of Courage
India is witnessing a sharp spike in Covid-19 cases after months of declining numbers. Since early April Covid infection numbers have skyrocketed, reaching record high every day.
On Wednesday, the country reported a total of 1,84,372 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, pushing India’s tally of cases to 1,38,73,825.
With 1,027 fatalities (highest since October 2020), the death toll has now reached to 1,72,085.
Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state.
Out of the total death toll, as many as 58,526 deaths have occurred in Maharashtra alone, followed by Karnataka, (12,945) and Tamil Nadu (11,436). Centre says that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.
The sharp spike has also led states to announce new restriction, raising anxieties of migrant workers who have now once again started returning back to their home states.
Officials worry that the growing migrant crisis will lead to the spread of coronavirus in smaller cities.
States have also been advised to ramp up Covid-19 testing. According to the ICMR, as many as 26,06,18,866 samples have been tested up to April 13 across the country.
In many places, the rapid surge brought forward the tale of crumbling health infrastructure in the country.
Incidents of shortage in oxygen supply, slow testing and non-availability of beds and ventillators have been reported from hospitals across the country.
In terms of vaccination, at least 11,11,79,578 people have been vaccinated so far. Several Opposition leaders have urges Prime Minister Narendra Modi to relax norms related to vaccination. Several states have also been complaining of vaccine shortage.
The antiviral remdesivir, which was widely discussed during the first wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic in India in the summer and monsoon of last year, is being talked about again.
The drug is in short supply as the country battles a second wave of infections, and the government has banned its export.
In order to 'break the chain', many states have announced restrictions including night curfews.
At many places, a full-scale lockdown is imposed on weekends.
