COVID-19 SITUATION IN INDIA IS SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL: Another day, another record. On Sunday, 152,879 COVID-19 cases were reported in India, with the country leading the world in daily average infections. It now accounts for one in every six cases in the world reported daily. While the prime minister has promised a ‘vaccination festival’, the situation on the ground suddenly seems to have gone out of control. In many ways, people in India have returned to business as usual, often without masks and social distancing. Huge political rallies have been encouraged and gatherings of millions at religious festivals have been allowed. If extreme steps are not taken, there are fears there could be an outbreak on a scale not seen in the world so far. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]
Bloomberg