Health

India passes 7 million infections as holiday season approaches

Indira Guerrero

New Delhi, Oct 11 (efe-epa).- India, the world’s second-worst affected nation by the coronavirus pandemic, on Sunday passed the grim milestone of seven million confirmed infections – nearly a fifth of the global total – while reporting over 108,000 deaths from Covid-19.

The country of 1.35 billion people has however recently seen encouraging signs, with infection rates dropping steadily since mid-September, when figures above 90,000 daily cases were breaking unwanted world records.

Over the past four weeks the curve of infections has been slowly but steadily flattening for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Recovery rates of over 85 percent have also been cause for optimism.

But with large religious celebrations around the corner, authorities are working to avoid a resurgence of cases at gatherings and ceremonies.

THE NEW “RELIGION OF THE WORLD”

The health minister Harsh Vardhan warned Sunday of the need to continue following the strict health guidelines in place and avoid festivals and religious gatherings, which could become hotbeds of infection.

In October and November, India celebrates the Hindu festivals of the Goddess Durga and Diwali, the Indian New Year.

“There is no need to congregate in large numbers to prove your faith or your religion,” he said in a video press conference, warning of “big trouble” if Indians celebrate the annual festivals as in years past.

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