Hospitals in India are facing a chaotic situation and the country is being considered as the hottest and most problematic area of ??the pandemic.
This Saturday, India reported 346,786 new infections over the past day, setting a world record for the third day in a row, while deaths rose by 2,624 - the highest daily rate for India to date.
Health care authorities have sounded the alarm for severe oxygen deprivation for critically ill patients. "SOS - we have less than an hour of oxygen supply at Max Smart Hospital & Max Hospital Saket", said one of the largest private hospital chains in Delhi. "Over 700 admitted patients, need immediate help."
The total number of infected in the country has exceeded 16.5 million and India ranks second after the US in terms of the number of cases. However many experts predict that the current wave will not reach its peak for at least three weeks and that the real deaths and number of cases are many times higher.
Shocked by criticism for lack of preparation before the wave of infections, the central government has organized special trains to deliver oxygen supplies to the worst-hit cities. It has also pressured industrialists to increase oxygen production as well as life-saving drugs as they are in short supply.
The Indian Air Force is also being used to transport oxygen tanks and other supplies across the country. Many patients are dying outside hospitals in the capital due to lack of beds and oxygen.
A charity has set up a makeshift crematorium to deal with the growing death toll.
Burimet: Guardian, Indian Express, BBC
