TW: This article includes images that viewers might find distressing.
India is in a state of despair due to a second wave of COVID-19 that emerged at the end of March. Since then, the cases of coronavirus infections have dramatically increased with total active cases at 3.7 million and surpassing the US and Brazil with new infection rates, averaging at around 400,000 new cases daily in the past week.[1] This influx of new cases has created a shortage of essential medical supplies and hospitals no longer have the space to accommodate for new patients. Train carriages, sports halls and stadiums have been transformed into makeshift hospitals in an attempt to help those in need.
Figure 1: Image of hospital in Dehli
August saw the first wave of COVID-19 in India, peaking at 97,654 new cases a day on September 11th. Not only has the daily infection rate increased fourfold in this second wave, but daily deaths have also increased at the same pace with a staggering 4,174 daily deaths on May 7th. Consequently, crematoriums are at maximum capacity; funeral pyres have been used to carry out mass cremations to cope with the escalating amount of the deceased. Despite these already shocking figures, it is possible the level of infection is much higher than is being recorded. Infection rates have risen by more than 55% but testing has decreased by 20% suggesting a higher rate of infection.[1] It is projected that deaths related to COVID-19 in India will reach over 1 million by August 1st, according to The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.[2]
Figure 2: Image of funeral pyres.
Why is it happening?
Dissimilar to the response at the start of the pandemic, political figures have been vague in their advice despite the warning of a second wave. Speaking in March at Medicon 2021, Union Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan, claimed India was in the “endgame of the novel coronavirus epidemic”. [3]
Following this nonchalant declaration, the government sanctioned largescale events such as the Hindu festival Kumbh Mela and political rallies. It has been argued that Kumbh Mela could have functioned as super-spreader event, with masses of pilgrims traveling to the Ganges river in the city of Haridwar. Although there are not statistics for the full event, which lasted 17 days before being called off by the authorities, Haridwar's chief medical officer, Dr SK Jha, said more than 1,600 cases had been confirmed among devotees between the 10th and 14th of April alone. [4]
Other potential super-spreader events include political rallies which were also encouraged to go ahead. India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, carried out his own month-long election roadshow in West Bengal state, campaigning unmasked in front of huge crowds.[5] Notices had been published by India's election commission threatening to act against politicians for their rallies and roadshows during the pandemic. However, these roadshows were only banned two weeks ago, despite the warning signs of dramatically increasing infection rates. [6]
How can you help?
Several countries such as the UK and the US have sent aid to India in the form of medical supplies, but monetary donations can also be of help to fund these vital resources. Numerous charities have launched appeals to help the Indian COVID-19 emergency, some of which you can find below.
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