India fears 2nd Covid-19 wave

India needs to take quick and decisive steps soon to stop an emerging second "peak" of Covid-19 infections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said yesterday as several countries reported spike in cases raising the possibility of new curbs. 

"If we don't stop the growing pandemic right here, then a situation of a nationwide outbreak can get created," Modi told a virtual conference of leaders of Indian states.

India's daily coronavirus infections jumped by 28,903, data from the health ministry showed, for the highest increase since Dec. 13 and taking the nationwide tally to 11.44 million.

Deaths swelled by 188, the highest figure in two months, to stand at 159,044.

The federal government has blamed crowding and a general reluctance to wear masks for the spike, ruling out the virus mutations that have been a factor in Western countries.

On Tuesday, 10,149 new deaths and 491,222 new cases were recorded worldwide pushing the global death tally to at least 2,671,720 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019. Based on latest reports, the countries with the most new deaths were Brazil with record 2,841 new deaths, followed by the United States with 1,242 and Italy 502.

Meanwhile, UK's health minister claimed in a newspaper article published yesterday that the AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine shot is safe and there is no evidence of health risks, after some EU countries halted rollouts over fears of blood clots.

The European Medicines Agency which previously approved the jab, is conducting a review of the vaccine but said in the meantime it remained convinced of its benefits.

Meanwhile, The Philippines yesterday said it will close its border to foreigners and restrict the number of Filipinos entering the country as authorities battle to contain a spike in coronavirus infections. The order will take effect from March 20.

The temporary measures come after the number of daily cases hit a seven-month high of 5,404 on Monday and experts predict the figure could double by the end of March.

The WHO's expert vaccine advisers yesterday said they could recommend Johnson and Johnson's Covid-19 jab for use in countries where coronavirus variants of concern are circulating.