The world is facing a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and several countries are exhausted with the number of deaths occurring because of the deadly coronavirus. India is in the second position from top in the list of world's worst-affected countries after the United States followed by Brazil. Thousands of people are dying across the nation and the medical system is trying very hard to bring everything under control.
On the 25th of April 2021, India reports 16,960,172
active cases of COVID-19 infection. If this isn't alarming enough then look at
the number of people who succumbed to the corona infection. About 192,311
people lost their lives to this pandemic in India. It is crystal clear that
India is in a very tragic phase of the second wave of the coronavirus.
Triggering and heart-wrenching scenes are being
telecast on the mainstream media as well as social media. People are in tears
to get their family members admitted to the hospitals. The hospital staff in
several well-to-do cities of India are trying to accommodate two patients on a
single bed. Still, the hospital beds are full and there is no place for new
patients.
Severely ill patients are even home quarantined and
provided with oxygen. It is unimaginably difficult for health care providers to
take care of everyone. The availability of oxygen is depleting hour by hour in
India and the medical fraternity is finding themselves helpless. The nation
seems to be underprepared to tackle the deadly onset of the second wave of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Mistakes
and Misunderstandings
At the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, India was
doing very well in terms of controlling the spread of COVID-19. The cases were
slightly under control and the deaths were minimal. This gave the people a
false impression of everything coming back to normal. Soon the lockdowns were
lifted and people started going out.
The Cinema theatres, Restaurants, clubs, and other
public spaces opened. Everything was still controlled up until people and both
the state and central governments let their guards down. The mutations in the
virus and unregulated public gatherings across the nation seem to have led to
this upsurge of COVID-19 infection cases in India.
India is the world's largest vaccine producer and it
gifted, helped several other nations by providing the COVID-19 vaccine to them.
Recently on the 24th of April, about 3.46 lakh cases were reported in India,
breaking all of its previous records. This is reportedly the highest number of
active COVID-19 cases recorded globally since the pandemic began.
With only 1% of its population vaccinated, India opened
its borders for international and domestic travel. The home-held population
took this as a green signal for vacationing abroad or in the country. Most
people didn't consider the virus as a threat until the statistics from India
took a deadly turn and the hospitals were full again. The condition is such
that from oxygen, beds, and ventilators to the hospital staff every requirement
is in shortage.
The Epidemiologists (a medical expert who deals with
the occurrence, distribution, and possible control of diseases) are finding it
difficult to explain the sudden upsurge of cases in India. However, they
presume a link between the highly infectious variant of the coronavirus and the
rise in the positive cases. The latest reports from the nation indicate that
the conditions are worsening and the COVID-19 virus is stronger than ever. Thus
it should not be underestimated.
This highly infectious strain being reported in India
is spreading faster than ever and it is escaping immune detection by the body.
It is even difficult to detect an infection caused by this strain of the virus.
Therefore, many people who are infected test false negative for the COVID-19
virus. It has a different set of symptoms and is assumed to be more severe. But
a detailed epidemiology report is awaited to confirm or eliminate this claim.
India is running out of vaccine stocks and today it
needs the most of it. To worsen the situation it is difficult to procure raw
materials in the purview of the ban on essential raw materials of the vaccine
in the United States. The country needs more unity and support than ever to
come out of this as early as possible.
A
Ray of Hope
As a country, India was very underprepared and
unequipped for a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It made several mistakes
by allowing and participating in social and political gatherings but it is
trying to recover and regain its composure. The voids cannot be refilled but
the nation can still save many lives and establish control over the spread of
the virus.
Several religious organizations, industries, and
individuals have come forward to arrange the drugs, oxygen cylinders, hospital
beds, ventilators, etc. for the patients. A considerable number of places of
worship have transformed their lands into hospitals to accommodate the
patients. Despite being in a tough phase of their careers the medical staff is
trying to cheer up people in the hospital.
India might be the worst affected nation in the world
but alike every time the citizens are standing united to fight the pandemic and
come out of this victorious together. The youth that is often regarded as the
most misguided age group is now helping several families in arranging and
locating the essentials via social media. No one would have ever thought that
Tweets, Instagram Stories, and What's app from the youngsters would save the
day.
India is trying its best to help each other. Not all of
us can assist the medical fraternity but we can make donations, contact the
distributors, and arrange for the essentials for the nation. Above all, we can
get vaccinated, wear a proper mask, maintain physical distancing, and avoid
going out unnecessarily. If India stays home, it stays safe.
Written by - Akanksha Sharma
Edited by - Akanksha Sharma
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