India’s coronavirus crisis intensifies as rest of the world offers support and New Delhi extends lockdown

The Indian health care system has struggled to cope with a huge surge in cases, leaving patients’ families begging for help

‘Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need,’ US President Joe Biden tweeted

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A relative of a person who died of Covid-19 is consoled by another during a cremation in Jammu, India on Sunday. Photo: AP

Published: 1:46am, 26 Apr 2021Updated: 8:18pm, 26 Apr 2021

The United States has led international pledges of support for India as the country grappled with worsening Covid-19 crisis with record daily death rates and severe medical shortages.

The Indian health care system has struggled to cope with a huge surge in cases, leaving patients’ families begging for help on social media and the capital New Delhi forced to extend its strict lockdown.

India recorded 349,691 new infections and 2,767 deaths on Sunday – the highest since the start of the pandemic. Delhi on Sunday reported more than one-quarter of those tested were positive.

US President Joe Biden said his country was “determined to help India in its time of need”, immediately making available supplies of vaccine-production material, therapeutics, tests, ventilators and protective equipment. Vice-President Kamala Harris, whose mother was born in India, also tweeted her support.

“The US is working closely with the Indian government to rapidly deploy additional support and supplies during an alarming Covid-19 outbreak,” Harris wrote. “As we provide assistance, we pray for the people of India – including its courageous health care workers.”

Western nations including Britain, France and Germany have also pledged help.

“The United States has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine,” a White House statement said, referring to the India-produced version of the AstraZeneca shot.