In India, the Covid hammer strikes with full force. Over 350,000 new infections and almost 3,000 deaths were reported in one day. The number of unreported cases is likely to be a lot higher. Epidemiologists speak of two to five times the value.
Conditions are terrible all over the country. The pyre burns day and night at the cremation sites, while relatives keep bringing their deceased. In the crematorium in Ghazipur a parking lot had to be converted to create another 20 cremation places.
Mass events despite Corona
There are two main reasons for the skyrocketing numbers: the Indian double mutation B.1.617 of the virus and the carelessness in dealing with the pandemic.
The already relaxed protective measures are only poorly followed in the country with a population of 1.3 billion, after the number of infections had reached low values at the beginning of the year and had fallen below 10,000 new infections per day.
At the end of March, despite the ban, hundreds of thousands met for the Hindu festival of colors, Holi, in which the victory of good over evil and the beginning of spring are celebrated. There were also many mass events for regional elections.
60 percent are mutation
Since the double mutant was discovered in March, B.1.617 has now made up around 60 percent of new infections. One mutation helps the virus evade the human immune system, the other mutation ensures that it spreads efficiently.
The nursing staff is on constant duty. There is a lack of beds, oxygen and medication. In the Indian Express, doctor Geetika Sharma, who works 16 to 18 hours a day, says: “We have no time for anything else, not even for our families. All employees suffer – physically and mentally. “
The government under the Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi (70) is wiping the problem under the carpet. Under government pressure, Twitter had to delete dozens of critical tweets addressing the government’s failure.
Switzerland puts India on the risk list
To curb the spread, several countries have tightened entry requirements for people from India, such as Germany and Italy.
The Indian variant has also appeared in Switzerland, in the canton of Solothurn. According to the BAG, the person concerned is a passenger who entered Switzerland via a transit airport. The BAG acted on Monday: It put India on the risk list for a short time from 6 p.m.
Even the archenemy offers help
Many Indians are trying to leave the country, especially destinations like Saudi Arabia and the USA are in demand. Because of the rush, the ticket prices for the flights skyrocket up to eleven times.
Medicines, rapid tests, ventilators, protective equipment, oxygen and raw materials for vaccine production are sent to India from western countries. Even Pakistan is offering medical supplies to its arch rival.