India is currently experiencing it’s second wave of coronavirus. Thursday, its health authorities reported more than 379,000 cases of COVID, and up to 3,645 deaths from the virus. It has been reported that hospitals and morgues are in short supply as is oxygen and other related supplies in the world’s second most populous nation.
Gravediggers and volunteers have worked tirelessly to bury bodies, and many more have to be cremated, some in parking lots and others in various locations around the country.
“I’m not scared of COVID,” Mumbai gravedigger, Sayyed Munir Kamruddin told reporters. “I’ve worked with courage. It’s all about courage, not fear. This is our only job. Getting the body, removing it from the ambulance, and then burying it.”
India’s vaccination supply has experienced a shortage. Despite being a global leader in vaccine production, it allegedly didn’t obtain enough supplies of the vaccine to protect the population.
According to India’s COVID tracker, at least 123,811,908 have received one dose of the vaccine, as of April 29, while 25,456,864 have been fully-vaccinated. The U.S is expected to send 100 million in aid, including oxygen supplies, medical-grade masks and supplies of Astra-Zeneca vaccine.
Sources: NY Times, Reuters, US.gov.
The Weekly News 