India becomes the second country most affected by the increase in Covid cases

India surpassed Brazil as the second most infected country behind the United States after data showed that Covid-19 cases continued to rise.

The South Asian nation reported more than 168,000 new cases on Monday over a 24-hour period, according to health ministry data. About 83% of new infections were reported in 10 states, including the western state of Maharashtra, which is home to India’s financial capital, Mumbai.

Since early April, India has reported more than 1.37 million cases, bringing the country’s total number of infections since last January to more than 13.5 million; cases began to increase from February after peaking in September.

Although Maharashtra has been the hardest hit state of the second wave, cases in other areas, including the populous state of Uttar Pradesh, are on the rise.

The reported mortality rate also increases daily as hospitals face pressure on supplies, including the number of beds available. However, compared to other countries, including the United States, Covid-related deaths in India are relatively low.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan reportedly blamed the second wave of infections on people’s lack of commitment to wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

But in recent weeks, politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party Bharatiya Janata, as well as other political parties, have held election rallies in states like West Bengal where large crowds gathered, most without wearing masks. There were also a number of religious meetings that took place in various parts of the country.

The Indian Ministry of Health says more than 100 million doses of vaccine have been administered since the government launched an ambitious inoculation program in January. As of April 1, everyone is over 45 years old eligible for their shots.

According to the media, some states, including Maharashtra, are facing a severe shortage of vaccines. The Indian government, in response, accused these states of diverting attention from their failure to control the virus.