US body warns of 1.02mn Covid fatalities in India by August 1

WASHINGTON: A leading US-based global health research body has projected 1.02 million cumulative deaths in India from Covid-19 by August 1, with 630,000 additional fatalities from April 26, unless “drastic measures” were taken. The previous projection by this institute for the same end date was 960,000.

The deadly disease crossed another grim milestone last week, becoming the No 1 killer in the country, going up by a “staggering” 78%. A top official of the Biden administration, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC News on Sunday that the epidemic is “raging out of control” in India. Even as the US has rushed aid worth $100 million, it has announced restrictions on travel from India starting Tuesday.

It bars everyone but US citizens, Green Card holders, students joining colleges and universities and, certain academics and professionals.