More than 600 pieces of medical equipment are being sent to India as the country faces a record surge of coronavirus cases, the UK government has said. Munia Iffat reports.
- India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned that they are facing a ‘storm’ of coronavirus infections, prompting other nations – including the UK and US – to promise urgent help.
- India reported 352,991 new cases on Monday setting a global record for the fifth consecutive day and bringing its total number to more than 17 million.
- The surge in cases has been accompanied by severe shortages of medical oxygen in some areas, with hospitals warning they could run out within hours.
- More than 600 pieces of medical equipment are being sent to India, said the UK government. The assistance package includes 495 oxygen concentrators, which extract from the air as well as ventilators. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “We stand side by side with India.”
- The first shipments of equipment leave the UK on Sunday and are due to arrive in New Delhi, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
- In total, the UK will send nine airline containers of supplies this week, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators, and 20 manual ventilators.
Meanwhile, the UK reported its lowest number of daily coronavirus cases since early September as Britain’s successful vaccination program continues to prevent a surge of infections.
