The deadly second wave of COVID-19 in India
India has been going through a ferocious onslaught of a second wave coronavirus in the past month. Total COVID-19 cases crossed the 20 million mark with an average of 350,000 new infections and over 3,440 deaths every day, pushing the total fatalities to over 222,400 deaths. Many of India’s millions of citizens live in dense residential areas amidst poverty and poor healthcare infrastructure, and the actual numbers are likely to be much higher.
The health system is overwhelmed, including hospitals of Global Ministries partners. There is a scarcity of hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, ventilators, medicines, and other care facilities. Many are dying on the streets in front of hospitals for lack of hospital beds, oxygen, ventilators, medicines, and other care facilities. Only eight percent of India’s population has received one dose of the vaccine so far, and only 1.3 percent have been fully vaccinated. With all of the losses thus far and those to come, the social and economic implications will be enormous.
Evangelical Hospital – Khariar in Odisha has been receiving approximately 50-60 patients with COVID-19 symptoms. The district where the hospital is located has been identified as the “hot spot” for cases in the state of Odisha. Therefore, the Odisha government has set up a center to receive COVID-19 patients in Khariar, where many patients are being sent. However, many patients are brought to the hospital dead. The medical staff of the Evangelical Hospital – Khariar are providing home treatments, and many staff family members have lost their lives due to COVID-19.
To support the work of Evangelical Hospital – Khariar, you may do so here.
The Christian Medical College Hospital in Vellore, India, has been involved through medical relief operations for their region. The Christian Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) has been working in vulnerable communities to help prevent the spread of the virus through setting up handwashing stations, offering Personal Protection Equipment, and addressing food security concerns through providing meals for families of daily wage workers who have lost their jobs.
To support the work of Christian Medical College Hospital in Vellore, India, you may do so here.
Christian Hospital – Mungeli has only been able to provide care for moderate to severe patients, which has led to migrations of patients from surrounding districts to the hospital. While there is much sadness and death, the hospital also shares that some patients are recovering. They shared a story of one patient. He arrived with a severe, acute respiratory infection with 78% blood oxygen saturation. He started on treatment and gradually improved as he was able to begin walking again. He was overwhelmed by the fact that he was able to recover and receive treatment during this time of illness. Before being discharged, the patient said: It is nothing short of a miracle, and I have felt the healing touch of God to receive this second life.
To support the work of Christian Hospital – Mungeli in India, you may do so here.
To support and learn more about the emergency response of Global H.O.P.E. (UCC) and Week of Compassion (Disciple) to the COVID-19 surge in India, you may do so here and here.