April 12, 2021

Anna Murray 

As almost 1.4 billion population in India continue rolling out one of the fastest COVID-19 vaccinations in the world, it took 85 days to reach the 100-million milestone on April 11. In contrast, the US achieved the same figure after 89 days and China 102 days. Since India launched its vaccination drive on January 16, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has planned to keep up the inoculation drive targeting to reach 250 million people by July.

However, the deadly COVID-19 pandemic continues making its outbreak the fastest-spreading in the world, whereas the number of new coronavirus infections in India repeatedly surged record-high daily cases in recent days. According to MoHFW data, India reported 145,384 new coronavirus cases on April 10 and almost 153,000 new coronavirus cases with 839 deaths on April 11.

According to data compiled by the US's Johns Hopkins University, daily coronavirus cases in India are now deteriorating worse than in any other country. Earlier on April 9, New Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has already identified 20 doctors infected with Covid-19 disease. Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwa alerts Delhi is now suffering the 4th wave of coronavirus pandemic. It is worth noting that Kejriwa warns 57 doctors in New Delhi are tested recently positive for Covid-19 infections. In addition, 37 doctors at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Rajendra Nagar, Delhi are reportedly tested positive.

India's federal government will spend US$ 5 billion offering free doses of COVID-19 vaccination to people at state-run clinics, public health centers, and hospitals. India has geared up its vaccination campaign to solve the seemingly worsening COVID-19 crisis. Thus, from April 11, people can also pay 250 rupees (US$ 3.4) a dose to get vaccinations at private and state-run workplaces as well.

Photo : webshot.