The Indian capital, Delhi, on Monday ordered a six-day shutdown as daily COVID-19 cases nationwide hit a new record and the healthcare system collapsed under the weight of new infections. .
Hospitals in India are struggling with the shortage of beds, oxygen and key medicines, as the infections exceed 15 million, just the United States.
“Delhi’s healthcare system cannot attract more patients,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal told a virtual press conference on Monday.
“If a lock is not implemented now the situation will go out of control.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson canceled a planned trip to India next week because of the coronavirus, his office said. Read more
In the city of New Delhi, with a population of more than 20 million people, there were less than 100 critical care beds, Kejriwal said on Sunday as social media was flooded with complaints.
Daily cases of COVID-19 in India topped a record 273,810 on Monday. Deaths rose record from 1,619 to 178,769.
Delhi closes Monday night.
It joins about 13 more states across the country that have decided to impose restrictions, curfews or closures on their cities, including India’s richest state, Maharashtra, and the prime minister’s home state. Narendra Modi, Gujarat, where the industrial city of Ahmedabad also faces a shortage of beds.
Criticism has escalated over how the Modi administration has handled India’s second wave of pandemic, with thousands of religious festivals and election rallies.
Leaders, including Interior Minister Amit Shah, will hold other road shows and public meetings on Monday.
Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon said the Asian financial center will suspend flights from India, Pakistan and the Philippines from Tuesday for two weeks. Read more
As of Monday, India had administered about 123.9 million doses of vaccine, which is the largest in the world after the United States and China, although it occupies a much lower level in per capita vaccination.
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