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    Shortage of oxygen cylinders and beds continues to take a toll on India as it grapples with COVID19

    Darpan News Desk Darpan, 29 Apr, 2021 05:17 PM
    • Shortage of oxygen cylinders and beds continues to take a toll on India as it grapples with COVID19

    India is in the midst of the worst wave of the pandemic with medical supplies running out and a major shortage of oxygen and hospital beds.

    Social media is flooded with desparate pleas from people for oxygen for their loved ones while others have no option but to circle hospitals in the capital Delhi while begging for a bed.

    Sikh temples or Gurudwaras have stepped up and helped out with providing oxygen through drive throughs in various parts of the country. 

    Oxygen shortage india

     

    It's been a week with sky rocketing numbers of cases coming out at the 300,000 mark, and Wednesday's death toll jumped by another 3,263, but health experts say there could be more cases so the nubmers are an underestimation.

    The deadly second wave of the pandemic in the country is being blamed on mass gatherings and leniency around public health guidelines, contagious virus variants, and low vaccination rates. 

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an appearance in West Bengal for a speech in late April without a mask and speaking with pride regarding the thousands who had joined the election rally without masks and without any regard for physical distancing. PM Modi has since stepped up and is arranging oxygen supplies. He is also thanking world leaders who are lending him a helping hand at such a critical time.

    The religious Kumbh Mela festival was also allowed to take place for weeks as millions gathered in the holy city of Haridwar. Afterwards hundreds tested positive. 

    Khumb Mela at Haridwar

    Funeral pyres have been prepared for mass cremations at a crematorium in Delhi as the country is running out of space when it comes to cremation grounds. 

    The US has sent aid to India along with organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross and UNICEF. The World Health Organization chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said it would sent 4000 oxygen concentrators to India and redeploy more than 2000 experts in India towards its efforts to help the nation. 

    Canada has pledged $10 million through the Canadian Red Cross to the Indian Red Cross to help with medical supplies and ambulance services.

    Canada, Thailand, UK along with other countries have put a ban in place for direct flights to India. 

    Its not just politicians and global leaders who are providing aid to India but Bollywood actors such as Priyanka Chopra, Sonu Sood, Diya Mirza  and Alia Bhatt have all taken to social media with an urgent plea to help India out and mobilize resources

    According to health experts it will be anywhere between 4-6 weeks before the rate of cases declines in India.

    Photos courtesy of Istock, Canadian Press, and Yahoo News. 

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