The first US emergency aid has arrived in India as the country battles a devastating surge in COVID-19 cases. Munia Iffat reports.

 

  • A Super Galaxy military transporter carrying more than 400 oxygen cylinders and other hospital equipment and nearly 1m rapid coronavirus tests at Delhi’s international airport on Friday.
  • US officials said the special flights, which will also bring equipment donated by companies and individuals, will continue into next week.
  • The total number of infections passed 18 million in India.
  • According to health data, it set another daily rise of cases, with 386,452 new infections, 3,498 new deaths.
  • India's capital Delhi’s police have asked local authorities to identify more sites for cremations.
  • One senior Delhi police officer told that people had to cremate family members in crematoriums not designated to take victims of COVID. "That's why we suggested more crematoriums should be set up," he told the state media.

 

Nearly 600 million more will be eligible to get vaccinated as the Indian government will open vaccinations to all adults from Saturday.