US reissues advisory, tells citizens not to travel to India
What's the story
The US has reissued its travel advisory on India, urging its citizens not to travel to the country due to an unprecedented surge in the COVID-19 cases in India. India is struggling with the pandemic's second wave with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past few days, and hospitals are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.
Warning
The advisory has been marked as highest 'Level 4' warning
"Do not travel to India. Exercise increased caution due to crime and terrorism," the State Department said on Wednesday in its latest travel advisory that looked identical to the one issued on April 28. Both the travel advisories have been marked as the highest "Level 4" warning. On April 28, the Department approved the voluntary departure of family members of US government employees.
Departure
US approved departure of non-emergency government workers from India
On May 5, the Department approved the voluntary departure of non-emergency US government employees. US citizens who wish to depart from India should take advantage of available commercial transportation options, it said. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for India due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.
Statistics
India registered 3,980 more fatalities in a single day
India reported a record number of 4.12 lakh fresh coronavirus infections on Thursday. The nationwide tally has now risen to 2.1 crore. The country also added 3,980 more fatalities, the deadliest day yet, taking the death toll past 2.3 lakh. Recently, mathematic modeling had predicted that India's ongoing second wave would peak by Wednesday (May 5).
Assistance
US has sent medical aid to India
Meanwhile, the United States has sent its first COVID-19 relief shipments to India. The shipment includes 440 oxygen cylinders and regulators. In addition, 960,000 Rapid Diagnostic Tests to identify infections early, and 100,000 N95 masks have also been shipped. The US is also providing 20,000 treatment courses of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir, 1,100 oxygen cylinders, and 1,700 oxygen concentrators.