India’s Covid crisis intensifies, but could more have been done to prevent it? – BBC Newsnight

BBC News

Published on Apr 26, 2021

As India’s coronavirus crisis continues to surge, patients are dying without oxygen as hospitals buckle under the pressure as the crisis continues to intensify. Please subscribe HERE http://bit.ly/1rbfUog​

International efforts are under way to help India as the country suffers critical oxygen shortages amid a devastating surge in Covid cases.

The UK has begun sending ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices. EU members are also due to send aid.

The US is lifting a ban on sending raw materials abroad, enabling India to make more of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

India’s capital Delhi has extended its lockdown as overcrowded hospitals continue to turn patients away.

The government has approved plans for more than 500 oxygen generation plants across the country to boost supplies.

Meanwhile neighbouring Bangladesh has announced that it will close its border with India from Monday to prevent the spread of the virus.

The BBC’s Aleem Maqbool reports.