BENGALURU, INDIA Two southern states in India became the latest to declare lockdowns, as coronavirus cases surge at breakneck speed across the country and pressure mounts on Prime Minister Narendra Modi s government to implement a nationwide shutdown. At over 300,000, Karnataka s capital of Bengaluru has the highest active caseload of any Indian city. But experts warn the worst is still ahead as India s third-largest city buckles under oxygen shortages, overrun hospitals and crowded crematoriums. In Tamil Nadu state, the lockdown announcement followed a daily record of more than 26,000 cases on Friday. Infections have swelled in India since February in a disastrous turn blamed on more contagious variants as well as government decisions to allow massive crowds to gather for religious festivals and political rallies.
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Two southern states in India are the latest to declare lockdowns, as coronavirus cases surge at breakneck speed across the country and pressure mounts on Prime Minister Narendra Modi s government to implement a nationwide shutdown.
On Saturday, India reported 401,078 confirmed cases, including 4187 deaths. Overall, India has more than 21.8 million confirmed infections and nearly 240,000 deaths.
Experts say even those dramatic tolls are undercounts.
At more than 300,000, Karnataka s capital of Bengaluru has the highest active caseload of any Indian city.
But experts warn the worst is still ahead as India s third largest city buckles under oxygen shortages, overrun hospitals and crowded crematoriums.
Krutika Pathi18:22, May 08 2021
Two southern states in India became the latest to declare lockdowns, as coronavirus cases surge at breakneck speed across the country and pressure mounts on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi s government to implement a nationwide shutdown. At over 300,000, Karnataka s capital of Bengaluru has the highest active caseload of any Indian city. But experts warn the worst is still ahead as India s third largest city buckles under oxygen shortages, overrun hospitals and crowded crematoriums.
Channi Anand/AP
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
AP
Multiple funeral pyres of those patients who died of covid-19 disease are seen burning at a ground that has been converted into a crematorium for mass cremation of coronavirus victims, in New Delhi, India.
AP
Relatives of covid-19 patients wait for refill of their oxygen cylinders in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
AP
A metro train runs behind as a man wearing mask as a precaution against the coronavirus walks through a bridge in Kochi, Kerala state, India.
AP
Multiple funeral pyres of those patients who died of covid-19 disease are seen burning at a ground that has been converted into a crematorium for mass cremation of coronavirus victims, in New Delhi, India.
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