India’s COVID-19 death toll on Wednesday crossed the grim milestone of 200,000, as globally record-breaking daily infection numbers had overwhelmed the health systems.
In the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry recorded 3,293 deaths related to coronavirus infection, bringing the total to 201,187.
At the same time, 362,567 new infections were reported in the highest single-day surge of cases worldwide for seven days straight, taking India’s total caseload to 17.9 million.
India ranks second behind the United States’ 32.1 million cases, while its fatalities count ranks fourth behind the U.S., Brazil and Mexico, which have all crossed 200,000 deaths.
But with about 300,000 cases and 3,000 deaths recorded per day, India is likely to cross more bleak milestones in the future.
Ten states in the world’s second-most populous country account for 74 per cent of cases, including in the hotspots of Maharashtra and New Delhi.
The capital and other affected areas were under lockdown, as infections have crippled the health system and overburdened funeral sites.
Shortages of beds and medical oxygen have been blamed for dozens of deaths across states.
Video footage showed relatives of patients outside hospitals pleading or getting angry over the lack of medical care.
The situation has prompted many countries, including the U.S., to send ventilators, oxygen plants and anti-viral drugs.
Experts attribute the rapid spread of cases to more infectious variants, including a so-called double mutation, and people’s failure to observe safety measures.
Several countries have banned flights from India, including Australia, Malaysia, Germany, Belgium and Italy. (dpa)
Meanwhile, Pakistan on Wednesday reported its highest number of daily Coronavirus-related deaths amid fears that the country may face a similar to neighbouring India, where surging new infections have battered the health-care system.
The South Asian country recorded 201 deaths within the last 24 hours, making it the deadliest day since the pandemic began.
The death toll now stands at 17,530, according to the Health Ministry.
The total number of cases had reached 810,231 with the addition of 5,292 new infections.
A steady surge in new infections with a more-than 10 per cent positivity rate of those tested for the Coronavirus pushed the authorities to put mega-cities under lockdown.
Provincial governments have been asked to make arrangements for the imposition of a complete lockdown, from next week, in 20 major cities, a Health Ministry spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the authorities announced a blanket ban on tourism and inter-provincial transport during the upcoming Eid holidays.
The government has already called in the military to enforce restrictions.
The new surge is overwhelming hospitals across the country, whereas oxygen suppliers have warned of extreme shortages.
The Pakistan Medical Association has asked government for the imposition of more restrictions to contain the spread and to avoid a situation similar to India where the health-care system is on the verge of a COVID-related collapse.
Pakistan started its vaccination campaign in February, but only around 2.1 million people out of a population of 220 million have been vaccinated so far.
On Tuesday, more than 100,000 people were vaccinated at over 1,200 centres.
Meanwhile, more people were also getting themselves registered in spite of skepticism about the vaccination. (dpa)
