Scientists say the spike in cases is partially due to variants of the coronavirus circulating in India at the moment.
The Indian government reportedly said last month that 80% of cases in Punjab were due to the highly contagious U.K. variant, which is known as B.1.1.7.
Meanwhile, the Indian variant is known as B.1.617 and has multiple sub-lineages with slightly different characteristic mutations. The WHO classified it as a variant of interest in its epidemiological update on the pandemic last week.
Maharashtra, which is home to India’s financial capital Mumbai, is the hardest hit state and also the epicenter for the second wave.
Though the death rate is comparatively low, it is likely that there is an undercounting of fatalities as multiple media reports suggest crematoriums and burial grounds are overwhelmed with bodies of those who died from Covid-19.
The international community has responded with promises to send help to India, including $100 million in medical aid from the United States.
That implies a little over 10% of the population has received at least one of the two shots required. But the percentage of people who have completed their vaccination is only about 2% of the total population, at around 27.9 million as of April.
Starting in May, India is opening vaccinations to anyone age 18 and older.
But the country is facing vaccine shortages and several states have reportedly run out of supply.
Reference: CNBC
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