India is in the midst of the worst wave of the pandemic with medical supplies running out and a major shortage of oxygen and hospital beds.
Social media is flooded with desparate pleas from people for oxygen for their loved ones while others have no option but to circle hospitals in the capital Delhi while begging for a bed.
Sikh temples or Gurudwaras have stepped up and helped out with providing oxygen through drive throughs in various parts of the country.
SOS
— bikram saluja (@bikram_saluja) April 29, 2021
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ICU BED IN DELHI URGENTLY NEEDED
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Patient Name - Akansh Gupta
Age - 35
Covid + / O2 Saturation - 77
Patient Contact - Amit 8884409770
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Any Leads Please Help
.#icubeds #covid #ventilator #oxygen #coronaindia #delhi #india
.@ArvindKejriwal @srinivasiyc @TVMohandasPai pic.twitter.com/z27xNCGDT0
urgently oxygen cylinder needed in Shahjahanpur for my mother (siddhi vinayak hospital) oxygen level is below 75.. @shahjahanpurpol @dmupsha @MoHFW_INDIA @Uppolice
— daniyal khan (@daniyal8090) April 29, 2021
please help..
#SOS | 29th April, 2021 | 8 pm IST | Mumbai, India
— Anuj Gosalia (@gosaliaanuj) April 29, 2021
ICU Bed and NIA needed
Name: Bharti Gohil
Age: 57 female
Covid Positive
Oxygen Saturation: Maintaining between 85 to 96
Presently Admitted at: Vashi CIDCO Exhibition Center in I- ward
Contact: Niraj - 7208200755
This is the condition of our Indore hospitals. They have not enough supplies like Oxygen,Injections &must needed Ambulance is not in proper condition. #mptransport @GurjarCenter @CMMadhyaPradesh @IndoreCollector @MoHFW_INDIA @healthminmp pic.twitter.com/h8C5hCMa9z
— Sahil Sharma (@AtrangiSahil) April 29, 2021
It's been a week with sky rocketing numbers of cases coming out at the 300,000 mark, and Wednesday's death toll jumped by another 3,263, but health experts say there could be more cases so the nubmers are an underestimation.
The deadly second wave of the pandemic in the country is being blamed on mass gatherings and leniency around public health guidelines, contagious virus variants, and low vaccination rates.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an appearance in West Bengal for a speech in late April without a mask and speaking with pride regarding the thousands who had joined the election rally without masks and without any regard for physical distancing. PM Modi has since stepped up and is arranging oxygen supplies. He is also thanking world leaders who are lending him a helping hand at such a critical time.
1 lakh portable oxygen concentrators will be procured, 500 more PSA oxygen plants sanctioned from PM-CARES. This will improve access to oxygen, specially in district HQs and Tier-2 cities. https://t.co/oURX74RYt1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 28, 2021
Had an excellent conversation with my friend President Putin today. We discussed the evolving COVID-19 situation, and I thanked President Putin for Russia's help and support in India's fight against the pandemic. @KremlinRussia_E
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 28, 2021
The religious Kumbh Mela festival was also allowed to take place for weeks as millions gathered in the holy city of Haridwar. Afterwards hundreds tested positive.
Funeral pyres have been prepared for mass cremations at a crematorium in Delhi as the country is running out of space when it comes to cremation grounds.
The US has sent aid to India along with organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross and UNICEF. The World Health Organization chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said it would sent 4000 oxygen concentrators to India and redeploy more than 2000 experts in India towards its efforts to help the nation.
Canada has pledged $10 million through the Canadian Red Cross to the Indian Red Cross to help with medical supplies and ambulance services.
Canada, Thailand, UK along with other countries have put a ban in place for direct flights to India.
Our friends in India stood by us earlier in the pandemic, and today we stand with them. We are providing emergency COVID-19 assistance, including life-saving oxygen equipment, therapeutics, and raw materials needed to produce more vaccines. pic.twitter.com/Y3J6slvi65
— Wendy R. Sherman (@DeputySecState) April 29, 2021
We must work together quickly to help India confront a second devastating wave of COVID-19. Help deliver lifesaving supplies today 👉 https://t.co/qLluLwliqc pic.twitter.com/ej7teZor6b
— UNICEF (@UNICEF) April 29, 2021
The IFRC urges unity to vaccinate the world against COVID-19 as countries unite in solidarity with India.
— IFRC (@ifrc) April 29, 2021
Here's an update from our Head of South Asia Delegation @RegmiUdaya pic.twitter.com/uiKzuHrH19
"Addressing critical gaps in essential medical supplies and hospital capacities should be top priority as India battles surge in #COVID19 cases," says Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, @WHOSEARO
— WHO South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) April 28, 2021
Read the full statement here 👉🏽 https://t.co/1lUuhURLDR pic.twitter.com/foJ3pm5dXs
Its not just politicians and global leaders who are providing aid to India but Bollywood actors such as Priyanka Chopra, Sonu Sood, Diya Mirza and Alia Bhatt have all taken to social media with an urgent plea to help India out and mobilize resources
@priyankachopra @nickjonas Here’s a screen shot of my donation to #giveindia. I know it’s not much pic.twitter.com/8CbdkUR9gL
— Priyanick12/1/18 (@devotedtonickj) April 29, 2021
Oxygen cylinder delivered 👍 https://t.co/hURzmvNS7M
— sonu sood (@SonuSood) April 29, 2021
Not to worry
— sonu sood (@SonuSood) April 29, 2021
ICU bed with ventilator done , ☑️
Wish her a speedy recovery.@SoodFoundation https://t.co/FRGVgp2wzZ
Urgent requirement of Tocilizumab injection 400mg in Kolhapur
— Chiinmay Tiwarii (@Chinmay_TI) April 29, 2021
Personally verified
COVID patient Name - Varsha Raut
Age - 52 yrs
Covid positive
Hospital Dr Tanmay Vohra, Surya Hospital, Kolhapur
Requirement - Tocilizumab injection 400mg
Contact - Umesh Raut 7874052571 https://t.co/w5FEZ3VBuo pic.twitter.com/P6bEYrLthb
#Kerala
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) April 29, 2021
Important numbers, please save the relevant ones and do share this with people in need.
*These numbers were verified on 29th April, 2021. pic.twitter.com/t3ktutYQpW
According to health experts it will be anywhere between 4-6 weeks before the rate of cases declines in India.
Photos courtesy of Istock, Canadian Press, and Yahoo News.