India Tops U.S. Record To Post World’s Biggest Daily COVID-19 Tally

India reported 314,835 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday to top the previous record of 314,312 recorded in the United States in December, according to Bloomberg.

• Indian Rupee is down 2.4% to US Dollar this month.
  The latest figures brought India’s total infections to 16 million, the second-most across the globe.
• COVID-related deaths are at 184,000, making the country’s second wave more fatal. Data from Johns Hopkins indicates that this is behind the United States, Brazil, and Mexico.
• Factors cited for the surge include lower compliance with health safety measures such as masks and social distancing. Religious festivals and elections have been allowed, albeit with precautions.
• India is home to the world’s biggest vaccine manufacturer, but data from the health ministry shows that 132 million vaccine doses have been administered in the country. This is enough to cover only about 4.8% of its population.
• Some 1,400 COVID-19 patients in the capital New Delhi were at “dangerously low” oxygen levels, prompting the largest hospital chain operator to take to court on Wednesday to seek supply.
• The country’s equities and currency have turned into the worst performers in Asia this month, with investors and analysts concerned over the second wave.
• Flights from India have been temporarily suspended in several countries, with the country already added to the United Kingdom’s ban list amid variant fears.