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India began its [[COVID-19 vaccination in India|vaccination programme]] on 16 January 2021, in what was described by ''[[The Hindu]]'' as the largest in the world.<ref name="TH33582069">{{cite news|author=|date=2021-01-15|title=World's largest vaccination programme begins in India on January 16|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-worlds-largest-vaccination-programme-begins-in-india-on-january-16/article33582069.ece|access-date=2021-01-16}}</ref> India has authorised the British [[Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine|Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine]] (Covishield), the Indian [[BBV152]] (Covaxin) vaccine, and the Russian [[Sputnik V vaccine]] for emergency use. | India began its [[COVID-19 vaccination in India|vaccination programme]] on 16 January 2021, in what was described by ''[[The Hindu]]'' as the largest in the world.<ref name="TH33582069">{{cite news|author=|date=2021-01-15|title=World's largest vaccination programme begins in India on January 16|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-worlds-largest-vaccination-programme-begins-in-india-on-january-16/article33582069.ece|access-date=2021-01-16}}</ref> India has authorised the British [[Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine|Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine]] (Covishield), the Indian [[BBV152]] (Covaxin) vaccine, and the Russian [[Sputnik V vaccine]] for emergency use. | ||
.com}}</ref> | ==Timeline== | ||
[[File:COVID-19-India-log.svg|thumb|300px|right]] | |||
{{COVID-19 pandemic data/India medical cases chart}} | |||
{{anchor|COVID chart}} | |||
=== 2020 === | |||
On 12 January 2020, the [[World Health Organization|WHO]] confirmed that a [[novel coronavirus]] was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in [[Wuhan]], [[Hubei]], China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.<ref name="Reynolds4March2020">{{Cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Matt |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/china-coronavirus |title=What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic? |date=4 March 2020 |work=Wired UK|access-date=5 March 2020 |issn=1357-0978|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305104806/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/china-coronavirus|archive-date=5 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On 30 January 2020, India reported its first case of COVID-19 in [[Thrissur]], [[Kerala]], which rose to three cases by 3 February 2020; all were students returning from [[Wuhan]].<ref name="Raza2020">{{cite book|last=Kumar|first=K. Reji |editor=Khalid Raza|title=Computational Intelligence Methods in COVID-19: Surveillance, Prevention, Prediction and Diagnosis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vmsDEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA166|year=2020|publisher=Springer |location=New Delhi|language=English|isbn=978-981-15-8533-3|page=166|chapter=A comparative study of the SIR prediction models and disease control strategies: A case study of the state of Kerala, India}}</ref> Apart from these, no significant rise in transmissions was observed in February. On 4 March, 22 new cases were reported, including 14 infected members of an Italian tourist group.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Perappadan|first1=Bindu Shajan|date=4 March 2020|title=COVID-19 {{!}} 6 members of Delhi patient's family test positive for coronavirus|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/covid-19-6-members-of-delhi-patients-family-test-positive-for-coronavirus/article30980724.ece|access-date=2 May 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | |||
In March, the transmissions grew after several people with travel history to affected countries, and their contacts, tested positive. On 12 March, a 76-year-old man, with a travel history to Saudi Arabia, became the first COVID-19 fatality of India.<ref name="death1">{{cite web |title=India's first coronavirus death is confirmed in Karnataka |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-s-first-coronavirus-death-in-karnataka-confirmed/story-2ZJ6IuxJ38EiGndBq5pfHO.html |website=Hindustan Times |date=12 March 2020|access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> | |||
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A Sikh preacher, who had a travel history to Italy and Germany, turned into a [[Superspreading event|superspreader]] by attending a [[Hola Mohalla|Sikh festival]] in [[Anandpur Sahib]] during 10–12 March.<ref>{{cite news|title=40,000 Indians quarantined after 'super spreader' ignores government advice |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/28/40000-quarantined-punjab-super-spreader-ignores-government-advice/ |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=28 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=super>{{cite news|title=Coronavirus: India 'super spreader' quarantines 40,000 people|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52061915 |newspaper=BBC News |date=27 March 2020}}</ref> 27 COVID-19 cases were traced back to him.<ref>{{cite news|title=Septuagenarian Sikh priest infected 27 of total 38 coronavirus cases in Punjab |newspaper=India Today |date=28 March 2020 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/septuagenarian-sikh-priest-infected-27-of-38-coronavirus-cases-punjab-1660789-2020-03-28}}</ref> Over 40,000 people in 20 villages in Punjab were quarantined on 27 March to contain the spread.<ref name=super/><ref>{{cite news |title=At least 40,000 quarantined in India after single priest spread coronavirus |work=NBC News |date=30 March 2020 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/at-least-40000-quarantined-in-india-after-single-priest-spread-coronavirus/ar-BB11Sezp}}</ref> | |||
On 31 March, a [[Tablighi Jamaat]] religious congregation event in Delhi, which had taken place earlier in March, emerged as a superspreader event, after numerous cases across the country were traced back to it. On 18 April, the Health ministry announced that 4,291 cases were directly linked to the event.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=Neetu Chandra|date=18 April 2020|title=30% covid-19 cases in India linked to Tablighi Jamaat event: Govt|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/30-covid-19-cases-in-india-linked-to-tablighi-jamaat-event-govt-11587218560611.html|access-date=5 June 2020|website=Livemint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52104753 |title=India event sparks massive search for Covid-19 cases |date=31 March 2020 |work=BBC News}}</ref> As of 4 April, about 22,000 people who came in contact with the Tablighi Jamaat missionaries had to be quarantined.<ref>{{Cite news |title=30 Per Cent Of Coronavirus Cases Linked To Delhi Mosque Event: Government |date=4 April 2020 |publisher=NDTV |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-tablighi-jamaat-30-per-cent-of-coronavirus-cases-linked-to-delhi-mosque-event-government-2206163}}</ref> | |||
On 2 May, in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], around 4,000 stranded pilgrims returned from [[Hazur Sahib]] in [[Nanded]], Maharashtra. Many of them tested positive, including 27 bus drivers and conductors who had been part of the transport arrangement. As of 13 May, 1,225 pilgrims had tested positive.<ref>{{cite web|date=4 May 2020|title=SAD, Congress leaders trade barbs as over 600 Nanded pilgrims contract coronavirus {{!}} Chandigarh News|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chandigarh/sad-congress-leaders-trade-barbs-as-over-600-nanded-pilgrims-contract-coronavirus/articleshow/75523770.cms|access-date=4 May 2020|website=The Times of India|agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=5 May 2020|title=Punjab: 27 bus drivers & conductors that returned from Nanded test Corona positive|url=https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/india-punjab-27-bus-drivers-conductors-that-returned-from-nanded-test-corona-positive-1228907|access-date=6 May 2020|website=news.abplive.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=13 May 2020|title=1,225 Nanded returnees test COVID-19 positive: government|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/1225-nanded-returnees-test-covid-19-positive-government/article31576136.ece|access-date=14 May 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | |||
In July 2020, it was reported based on antibody tests that at least 57% of the inhabitants of Mumbai's slums may have been infected with COVID-19 at some point.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Julia Hollingsworth and Esha Mitra CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/29/asia/india-mumbai-slum-coronavirus-intl-hnk/index.html |title=More than half of Mumbai slum residents may have been infected with Covid-19, study suggests |access-date=2021-02-23}}</ref> | |||
A government panel on COVID-19 found in October 2020 that the pandemic had peaked in India, and could come under control by February 2021.<ref name="Peak">{{Cite news|author=Preeti Biswas|date=2020-10-18|title=Covid-19 peak over; pandemic can be controlled by February 2021: Govt-appointed panel|newspaper=The Times of India|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/india/no-fresh-lockdowns-recommended-at-local-level-government-appointed-panel-on-covid-19/articleshow/78732643.cms|access-date=2020-10-19}}</ref> This prediction was based on a mathematical simulation referred to as the "Indian Supermodel", assuming that India reaches [[herd immunity]].<ref>{{citation|title=Modelling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic - Impact of lockdowns & interventions|date=October 2020|periodical=Indian Journal of Medical Research|language=German|doi=10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_4051_20|pmid=33146155|surname1=Manindra Agrawal, Madhuri Kanitkar, M. Vidyasagar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=National Supermodel Committee|date=|year=|title=Indian Supermodel for Covid-19 Pandemic|url=https://www.iith.ac.in/~m_vidyasagar/arXiv/Super-Model.pdf|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|publisher=|pages=|language=en|format=|quote=|periodical=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Super Model Committee|date=|year=|title=National Supermodel of COVID-19 with Projections|url=https://www.iith.ac.in/~m_vidyasagar/arXiv/Covid-Pres.pdf|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|publisher=|pages=|language=|format=|quote=|periodical=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=|date=|year=|title=DST initiates COVID-19 India National Supermodel for monitoring infection transmission & aid decision-making by policymakers|url=https://dst.gov.in/dst-initiates-covid-19-india-national-supermodel-monitoring-infection-transmission-aid-decision|url-status=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|publisher=Government of India, Ministry of Science and Technology|pages=|language=en|format=|quote=|periodical=}}</ref> That month, a new [[Variants of SARS-CoV-2|SARS-CoV-2 variant]], [[Lineage B.1.617]], was detected in the country.<ref name="SMC1">{{cite web|title=Expert reaction to cases of variant B.1.617 (the ‘Indian variant’) being investigated in the UK|url=https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-cases-of-variant-b-1-617-the-indian-variant-being-investigated-in-the-uk/|access-date=20 April 2021|website=Science Media Centre|publisher=Science Media Centre}}</ref> | |||
=== 2021 === | |||
A vaccination programme began 16 January, 2021.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news|date=2021-04-20|title=Covid-19 vaccination: How is India's inoculation drive going|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56345591|access-date=2021-04-22}}</ref> By February 2021, daily cases had fallen to 9,000 per-day.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|title=India reports new record of 103,558 daily Covid cases, as second wave and new lockdowns hit|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/05/india/india-second-wave-covid-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-22|website=CNN}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite news|date=2021-04-07|title=India Covid-19: 'No end in sight' as doctors battle second wave|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56645701|access-date=2021-04-22}}</ref> In a paper on an improved simulation model published February 2021, the authors of the Supermodel estimated the immunity of the Indian population to be close to 60%, and claimed that India might be the only major economy that had successfully implemented a herd immunity strategy.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Agrawal|first1=M.|last2=Kanitkar|first2=Madhuri|last3=Vidyasagar|first3=M.|date=2021|title=SUTRA: An Approach to Modelling Pandemics with Asymptomatic Patients, and Applications to COVID-19|url=https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/SUTRA%3A-An-Approach-to-Modelling-Pandemics-with-and-Agrawal-Kanitkar/1b23e327b66352909b2799e1c0a7231364e90d04}}</ref> | |||
Despite concerns surrounding the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 in the country, nightclubs, restaurants, markets, and the Hindu spring festival of [[Holi]] on 29 March were being met with large crowds, with many of them flouting health and safety guidance such as [[social distancing]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 March 2021|title=Despite surge in cases, Covid guidelines flouted during Holi celebrations|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/covid-19-holi-celebrations-7250394/7/|access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=29 March 2021|title=Holi 2021: Scores of devotees flout COVID-19 protocols at Mathura's Dwarkadhish Temple|work=DNA India|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-holi-2021-scores-of-devotees-flout-covid19-protocols-at-mathura-dwarkadhish-temple-2883537|access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref> Despite announcing that India was the quickest country in the world to administer at least 100 million vaccine doses, the vaccination programme began to be hit with supply issues. India suspended exports of the [[Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine|Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine]] in order to meet demand. [[Vaccine hesitancy|Hesitancy]] and a lack of knowledge among poorer, rural communities has also impacted the programme.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-24|title=Delhi reportedly halts AstraZeneca Covid vaccine exports as cases soar|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/24/delhi-reportedly-halts-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-exports-as-cases-soar|access-date=2021-04-22|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":15" /> | |||
By early-April 2021, a second wave took hold in the country. On 5 April, the country reported its largest single-day increase in cases since September 2020, at just over 103,000. The western state of Maharashtra saw some of the largest increases, resulting in the re-enactment of lockdowns and curfews.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name=":20">{{Cite web|last=Yeung|first=Jessie|last2=Sud|first2=Vedika|date=21 April 2021|title=India's second Covid wave hits like a 'tsunami' as hospitals buckle under weight|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/21/india/india-covid-hospital-shortage-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-21|website=CNN}}</ref> On 9 April, India surpassed 1 million active cases.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Apr 10|first=Amit Bhattacharya / TNN /|last2=2021|last3=Ist|first3=01:42|title=Covid-19: Active cases cross 1 million, at all-time high now {{!}} India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/covid-19-active-cases-cross-1-million-at-all-time-high-now/articleshow/81996188.cms|access-date=2021-04-12|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> On 12 April, India overtook Brazil as having the second-highest overall number of COVID-19 cases worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|title=COVID-19: India overtakes Brazil with second highest number of cases|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/apr/12/covid-19-india-overtakes-brazil-with-second-highest-number-of-cases-2289126.html|access-date=2021-04-22|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> | |||
The [[Haridwar Kumbh Mela]] was described as having become a superspreader,<ref>{{Cite news|date=15 April 2021|title=Kumbh Mela turns into 'super spreader' event; 1,701 people test COVID-19 positive between April 10-14|work=Times Now News|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/kumbh-mela-turns-into-super-spreader-event-1701-people-test-covid-19-positive-between-april-10/745478|access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref><ref name=":21">{{Cite news|last1=Kamal|first1=Hassan|date=22 April 2021|title=Kumbh Mela and election rallies: How two super spreader events have contributed to India’s massive second wave of COVID-19 cases|work=Firstpost|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/kumbh-mela-and-election-rallies-how-two-super-spreader-events-have-contributed-to-indias-massive-second-wave-of-covid-19-cases-9539551.html|access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref> being linked to at least 1,700 positive cases between 10-14 April alone, and 68 cases among Hindu seers between 5-14 April.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Khare|first1=Vineet|date=17 April 2021|title=India's Kumbh festival attracts big crowds amid devastating second Covid wave|work=BBC Hindi|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56770460|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=15 April 2021|title=Over 1,700 test positive for COVID-19 in Kumbh Mela over 5-day period|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-over-1700-test-positive-for-covid-19-in-kumbh-mela-over-5-day-period/article34325844.ece|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref> Normally four months in length, the festival was shortened to a single month due to COVID-19. On 16 April, Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] asked residents to "keep Kumbh Mela symbolic" in order "give strength to India's fight against [[COVID-19]]", and [[Swami]] Avdheshanand urged devotees to avoid large gatherings and follow health guidance while participating in the Mela.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sen|first=Meghna|date=2021-04-17|title=PM Modi says 'Kumbh Mela should now only be symbolic to strengthen Covid fight'|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pm-modi-says-kumbh-mela-should-now-only-be-symbolic-to-strengthen-covid-19-fight-11618630984604.html|access-date=2021-04-25|website=mint|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-22|title=Kumbh Mela and election rallies: How two super spreader events have contributed to India’s massive second wave of COVID-19 cases|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/kumbh-mela-and-election-rallies-how-two-super-spreader-events-have-contributed-to-indias-massive-second-wave-of-covid-19-cases-9539551.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-22|website=Firstpost}}</ref> Criticizing the central government and the mainstream media for the biased reporting, Maharashtra Minister [[Aslam Shaikh]] said the same people who accused the Tablighi Jamaat of spreading COVID-19 in the country have allowed thousands of people to gather at Kumbh Mela.<ref>{{cite news |title='They are same people who defamed Tablighi Jamaat': Maharashtra minister slams Kumbh Mela amid COVID-19 surge |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/they-are-same-people-who-defamed-tablighi-jamaat-maharashtra-minister-slams-kumbh-mela-amid-covid-19-surge/744343 |website=Times Now Digital |publisher=Times Now |access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref> | |||
By late April, India passed 2.5 million active cases and was reporting 300,000 new cases and 2,000 deaths every day. Some analysts feared this was an undercount; epidemiologist [[Bhramar Mukherjee]] has estimated that the actual death toll of the pandemic in India may be two to five times higher than the official totals.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gettleman|first=Jeffrey|last2=Yasir|first2=Sameer|last3=Kumar|first3=Hari|last4=Raj|first4=Suhasini|last5=Loke|first5=Atul|date=2021-04-24|title=As Covid-19 Devastates India, Deaths Go Undercounted|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/24/world/asia/india-coronavirus-deaths.html|access-date=2021-04-24|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On 26 April, India reported 350,000 new cases and over 2,800 deaths in one day.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yeung|first=Jessie|date=26 April 2021|title=As India breaks another global Covid-19 record and hospitals run out of oxygen, countries pledge assistance and aid|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/26/india/india-covid-international-aid-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=26 April 2021|website=CNN}}</ref> The surge is thought to be caused by a new variant.<ref name="Rogers"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Despite a billion vaccine shots given, Covid-19 runs rampant in much of the world. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/04/25/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases#despite-a-billion-vaccine-shots-given-covid-19-runs-rampant-in-much-of-the-world |website=The New York Times |access-date=28 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=India's 'double mutation' covid virus variant is worrying the world |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/indias-double-mutation-covid-virus-variant-is-worrying-the-world-11618789603145.html |website=mint |access-date=28 April 2021}}</ref> | |||
The second wave has placed a major strain on the healthcare system,<ref name=":20" /> including an ongoing shortage of [[Liquid oxygen|liquid]] [[Medical oxygenation|medical oxygen]] due to unanticipated demand, delays in transport, and a lack of cryogenic tankers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-26|title=India’s Covid crisis: doctors sound warning over oxygen hoarding|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/26/doctors-sound-warning-over-oxygen-hoarding-as-india-reports-record-covid-cases-and-deaths|access-date=2021-04-26|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-24|title=Three reasons behind India facing an acute oxygen crisis|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/the-three-reasons-behind-india-facing-an-oxygen-crisis-11619244179142.html|access-date=2021-04-26|website=mint|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-24|title=Why India is facing an oxygen crisis as Covid-19 cases mount|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/why-india-is-facing-an-oxygen-crisis-as-covid-19-cases-mount-101619268862048.html|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> On 21 April, 22 COVID-19 patients who required [[Ventilator|ventilators]] died at a hospital in Maharashtra after an accident caused a leak in its main oxygen supply.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-21|title=22 Covid patients dead after oxygen leak at Dr Zakir Hussain NMC hospital in Maharashtra's Nashik|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/22-dead-after-oxygen-leaks-from-tanker-at-maharashtra-hospital-101618996159127.html|access-date=2021-04-22|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=India's second Covid wave hits like a 'tsunami' as hospitals buckle under weight|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/21/india/india-covid-hospital-shortage-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-22|website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gettleman|first=Jeffrey|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|last3=Kumar|first3=Hari|date=2021-04-21|title=India’s Health System Cracks Under the Strain as Coronavirus Cases Surge|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/21/world/asia/india-coronavirus-oxygen.html|access-date=2021-04-22|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On 23 April, Prime Minister Modi met via videoconference with liquid oxygen suppliers, where he acknowledged the need to "provide solutions in a very short time", and acknowledged efforts such as increases in production, and the use of rail (with the [[Indian Railways]] transporting tankers via "Oxygen Express" trains)<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|first2=|date=2021-04-19|title=Covid-19: Railways runs its first Oxygen Express for loading Liquid Medical Oxygen|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/covid-19-railways-runs-its-first-oxygen-express-for-loading-liquid-medical-oxygen/videoshow/82148984.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-26|website=The Economic Times}}</ref> and air transport to deliver oxygen supplies.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Writer|first=Staff|date=2021-04-23|title='Challenge is to provide solutions in a very short time': PM to oxygen producers|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/challenge-is-to-provide-solutions-in-a-very-short-time-pm-modi-to-oxygen-manufacturers-11619181984458.html|access-date=2021-04-26|website=mint|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-23|title='Utilise full potential': PM Modi in meeting to review supply of medical oxygen|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/utilise-full-potential-pm-modi-in-meeting-to-review-supply-of-medical-oxygen-101619182439877.html|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Find innovative ways to produce and distribute oxygen, PM tells officials amid acute crisis|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/apr/22/find-innovative-ways-to-produce-and-distribute-oxygen-pm-tells-officials-amid-acute-crisis-2293380.html|access-date=2021-04-26|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> On 25 April, the [[PM CARES Fund]] announced that it would allocate funding to install 551 [[Oxygen plant|oxygen plants]] using [[pressure swing adsorption]] at public health facilities.<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2021-04-25|title=COVID-19 surge: PM CARES Fund allocates funds for 551 oxygen plants in public health facilities|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-surge-pm-cares-fund-allocates-funds-for-551-oxygen-plants-in-public-health-facilities/article34406175.ece|access-date=2021-04-26|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-26|title=Surge hits a new peak, Centre approves 551 oxygen plants for govt hospitals in districts|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-cares-fund-oxygen-generation-plants-coronavirus-pandemic-7288290/|access-date=2021-04-26|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> | |||
Other countries announced that they would provide emergency aid to India, including [[European Union]] member states—which are sending oxygen supplies, medicines and ventilators through the [[Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations|EU Civil Protection Mechanism]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=26 April 2021|title=India's coronavirus crisis intensifies as cases hit new record|work=[[RTÉ]]|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2021/0426/1212058-coronavirus-india/|access-date=27 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Correspondent|first=Paul Hosford Political|date=2021-04-26|title=Ireland to send 700 ventilators to India to help fight deadly new wave of Covid-19|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40275092.html|access-date=2021-04-27|website=Irish Examiner|language=en}}</ref> the United Kingdom—which is sending [[Oxygen concentrator|oxygen concentrators]] and additional ventilators, and the United States—which is sending personal protective equipment, and lifted a control on the export of vaccines and vaccine materials in order to send raw materials for producing the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine (with President [[Joe Biden]] considering it to be in return for having received assistance from India earlier).<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-04-25|title=Covid: Countries send aid to ease India's oxygen emergency|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56881083|access-date=2021-04-26}}</ref><ref name="Rogers">{{Cite news|last=Rogers|first=Katie|date=2021-04-25|title=In Reversal, U.S. Will Send Vaccine Materials to Stricken India|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/04/25/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases|access-date=2021-04-26|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Head of the U.S. [[National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases]] (NIAID) [[Anthony Fauci]] stated that the country had not ruled out sending supplies of the AstraZeneca vaccine—which has not yet been approved in the U.S.—to India.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-25|title=Fauci Says US May Send AstraZeneca Vaccine to India to Combat Covid Surge|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-25/u-s-to-consider-sending-india-unused-vaccine-doses-fauci-says|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> | |||
== Health care and testing == | == Health care and testing == | ||