A beneficiary will receive a dose of Covid-19 vaccine at HB Kanwatia Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on April 11, 2021.
Vishal Bhatnagar | NurPhoto | Getty Images
India overtook Brazil as the second most heavily infected country after the United States after data showed Covid-19 cases continued to rise.
The South Asian nation reported more than 168,000 new cases in a 24-hour period on Monday, according to data from the Ministry of Health. About 83% of new infections were reported in 10 states, including the western state of Maharashtra, home to India’s financial capital, Mumbai.
Since the beginning of April, India has reported more than 1.37 million cases, bringing the total number of infections to more than 13.5 million since January last year; cases started to increase since February after peaking in September.
While Maharashtra was the hardest hit state in the second wave, cases have occurred in other areas, including the densely populated state of Uttar Pradesh.
The daily reported mortality rate is also on the rise as hospitals are under pressure on supplies, including the number of beds available. Still, compared to other countries, including the US, Covid-related deaths in India are relatively low.
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has reportedly blamed the second wave of infections for people’s lack of commitment to wearing masks and practicing social distance.
But in recent weeks, politicians including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata party, as well as other political parties, have held election rallies in states like West Bengal, where crowds gathered – most without wearing masks. There was also a series of religious gatherings that took place in different parts of the country.
Vaccination program underway
India’s Ministry of Health says more than 100 million doses of vaccines have been administered since the government began an ambitious vaccination program in January. Since April 1, everyone is over 45 years old qualify for their recordings.
Media reports say some states, including Maharashtra, are facing serious vaccine shortages. In response, the Indian government accused those states of diverting attention from not having the virus under control.