In Asia, more than 5.9 million cases of infection have been reported in the last two weeks, writes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which refers to figures from Oxford University.
– Covid-19 explodes over large parts of Asia, and overwhelms hospitals and health services. More have been diagnosed with the disease in Asia over the past two weeks than in America, Europe and Africa combined.
Alexander Matheou of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said in a statement.
– Right now we need global solidarity for regional support, with more medical equipment, support for prevention and access to vaccines, he says.
Desperate prayers: – Left to himself
Coronarekorder
Seven of the ten countries in the world that now have the highest infection pressure are in Asia, according to the IFRC. In 12 days, the infection doubled in Laos, and in two months, cases in India have also doubled to over 23 million.
On Wednesday, another corona record was recorded in India. The health authorities in the country registered 4,205 new corona-related deaths. In all, more than 250,000 people have now lost their lives due to the pandemic in India.
Report: The disaster could have been avoided
On Thursday, Thailand registered a new infection record with 4887 cases, according to Reuters. This came after outbreaks in two prisons, where almost 3,000 prisoners have been infected. Among the infected prisoners is a leader of protests against the authorities, who is awaiting trial for insulting the king, writes the news agency.
After a year of good control, Thailand is now experiencing its biggest outbreak so far. according to Johns Hopkins University The country has registered 88,907 cases of infection and 486 corona-related deaths.
INDIA: Family members and volunteers carry a dead person to cremation in New Delhi, India. The photo was taken on May 11, 2021. Photo: AP Photo / Amit Sharma / NTB
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IN THE HALLWAY: Patients receive oxygen while sleeping on the floor in the hallway of a hospital, due to lack of beds. The photo was taken on May 10, 2021 in Kathmandu. Photo: REUTERS / Navesh Chitrakar / NTB
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«Mini-India»
Last week, the IFRC also sounded the alarm for Nepal, which is on its way to becoming a “mini-India”. At the time of writing, the country has registered over 420,000 cases of infection and 4,252 corona-related deaths.
“What is happening in India now is a terrible preview of Nepal’s future if we can not control this latest corona wave, which demands more and more lives per minute,” Nepal Red Cross leader Dr. Netra Prasad Timsina said in a statement last week.
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When Assistant Health Director Espen Rostrup Nakstad visited Dagbladet TV’s studio on Wednesday, he called the development in India and Nepal “quite dramatic”.
He pointed out that the first wave of infection in India was long-lasting, and nowhere near as dramatic as what we see now.
– It is probably mainly because there have now been large gatherings of people during the holidays, and many who have traveled across the country. Once the more contagious virus variants gain a foothold, it will be able to spread to larger sections of the population.
– Great risk
– Desperate for help
The speed and size of the corona wave has hit hospitals in Asia and overwhelmed health professionals who are already struggling, the IFRC writes in the statement. Vaccine campaigns are underway, but are hampered by shortages, hesitation and costly logistics to reach many areas, according to the association.
– We must remember that behind these numbers are people who struggle to breathe, desperate for help and afraid that they will never see their loved ones again, says Matheou.
Warns: Cow dung is not corona medicine
He praises those who work in the front line, who he says risk their lives and do an incredible job, despite lack of resources and exhaustion.
– But they can not handle this crisis alone. Millions of dedicated Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers are doing what they can to fill the gaps, provide ambulance services, clinics, vaccines and other support in all corners of all Asian countries. To get this pandemic under control, we need better global cooperation, so that life-saving resources, medical equipment, vaccines and money get where it is needed, he says.
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