Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is Forced to Impose Stricter Lockdown Amid Raging Coronavirus Cases

Relatives carry an oxygen cylinder for a COVID-19 patient who is waiting in an ambulance outside the government run hospital in Jammu, India, Friday, May 7, 2021. With coronavirus cases surging to record levels, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing growing pressure to impose a harsh nationwide lockdown amid a debate whether restrictions imposed by individual states are enough. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)

With virus raging in India’s cities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is under pressure to impose harsh nationwide lockdown as opposed to leaving it up to the individual states. Medical experts and other officials see this as the only option.

The official daily death count has stayed over 3,000 for the past 10 days.

Dr. Randeep Guleria, a government health expert, said just like last year, a complete, aggressive lockdown is needed in India, especially in areas where more than 10% of those tested have contracted COVID-19.

Dr. Yogesh Jain Ganiyari of the Peoples Health Support Group, a low-cost public health program in the central state of Chhattisgarh, dittoes Dr. Randeep Guleria.

— BCNN1