Covid crisis: India on brink as health experts fear 300,000 cases a day milestone

India: Expert warns of 'rapidly rising' coronavirus cases

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An Indian health expert has warned the country faces a health crisis with coronavirus cases “rapidly rising” in many parts of the country. Professor K. Srinath Reddy told BBC Newsnight on Thursday that “It’s possible that almost all of India is going to see a surge soon.” The Public Health Foundation of India added that that scientists in the country fear the situation could see a new milestone in infections.

Professor Reddy told BBC Newsnight: “We are seeing a rapidly rising epidemic with more than 200,000 cases being reported every day.

“And the numbers are rising each passing day and we are worried it might actually cross 300,000 soon.

“But also it is spreading very rapidly across the country.

“Initially only four states were considered to be a bit of a problem last month but now virtually every party of India is showing a rise.”

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He continued: “Several states are affected and it is possible that almost all of India is going to see a surge soon.”

Asked for the reasons behind the influx in new virus cases, the expert blamed: “Laxity on behalf of people to observe precautions like wearing masks or avoiding crowding.

“Even authorities let large gatherings happen whether they were for political reasons or religious reasons.

“Or social gathering, or crickets tournaments, whatever.”

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It comes as India surpassed 200,000 new cases within a 24-hour time period, for the first time.

The country’s total death rate is now more than 173,132 the data showed.

Meanwhile, India’s total case count reached over 14 million, second highest after the United States that has recorded around 31.4 million.

The country has now reached two grim milestones within 10 days, passing 100,000 cases for the first time on April 4 and now 200,000 just over a week later.

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A shortage of vaccines has partly been blamed for the surge in infections as India regions and state governments scramble to trigger new lockdown measures in an effort to stem the tide of cases.

According to a report by the country’s health ministry, over 100 million people have received their first dose of the jab.

Only 13.9 million or one percent of the country is fully vaccinated after receiving their second jab.

So far, India has only used two of the approved vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin, although Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is now deemed safe to use.

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