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India has emerged as the global epicentre of the Covid pandemic
(AFP via Getty Images)
India reported more than 295,000 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday as its daily death toll climbed over 2,000 for the first time since the pandemic began.
In an address to the nation on Tuesday night, prime minister Narendra Modi called on states to enforce lockdown restrictions only as a “last resort”, and said that efforts were being made to restart dedicated Covid emergency hospitals operated by the federal authorities.
But there was a backlash online from those asking whether the government is doing enough in a country that has become the new global epicentre for the pandemic.
Hospitals in many states are now overrun, with Delhi’s major facilities – the best in the country – warning of imminent oxygen shortages in the coming hours and saying “people will die” as a result.
India’s tally for cases throughout the pandemic now stands at more than 15.6 million, second only to the US, with total deaths reaching 182,553.
Follow the latest updates below
India sees highest single-day spike in cases and deaths
In the biggest daily figures yet, India recorded 295,041 new cases of Covid-19 and 2,023 deaths in the 24 hours up to Wednesday morning.
The total number of confirmed cases in the country has crossed 15.6 million, the second highest behind the United States, while total deaths reached 182,553.
Akshita Jain21 April 2021 06:47
India posts new record Covid numbers
Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s live blog on the global Covid-19 pandemic. We start out coverage today in India, where new record numbers for both cases and deaths were reported on Wednesday amid a soaring second wave.
Akshita Jain21 April 2021 06:24
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