More than four lakh new cases yesterday. A little more than a week ago, three lakhs was considered a big breach in the defenses. But it keeps growing. And these are only the recorded numbers. The real numbers are probably over a million a day.
The case count is beyond control. I don't think, given the kind of public administration we have, anything can be done about infections beyond the precautions we take individually. The virus is simply everywhere. The vaccine rollout is also slow. That leaves only one option.
We have to boost the capacity of hospitals and clinics to keep people alive. This means a massive supply of ventilators, oxygen, ICUs beds and drugs to as many facilities in the country as possible. And more new facilities, initially make-shift but intended to be permanent.
India has among the highest levels of private funding for health care. The pandemic has hung a big question mark around that. We are moving towards government funded care in starts and fits. Would be much better to declare a full system of care, and start working on the details.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
