India becomes the second worst-hit country as Covid cases increase

India overtook Brazil as the second worst-infected country behind the United States after data showed that Covid-19 cases were still on the rise.

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

Since the beginning of 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; business has been rising since February after peaking in September.

Although Maharashtra was hit the hardest in the second wave, things are going up in other areas – including the populous state of Uttar Pradesh.

The daily death rate also rises as hospitals are under pressure due to inventory, including the number of beds available. Compared to other countries, including the US, the deaths associated with Covid are relatively low.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has blamed the second wave of infections for the lack of commitment on the part of people to wear masks and practice social distance.

But in recent weeks, politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata party, as well as other political parties, have held rallies in states such as West Bengal where large crowds have gathered – most without wearing masks. There were also a series of religious gatherings that took place in different 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 vaccination program in January. Since April 1, someone older than 45 years old eligible for their shots.

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