Coronavirus case dip offers glimpse of hope in Mumbai

A DIP in the number of Covid cases in Mumbai is offering a glimmer of hope for India, as the country battles a surge in infections.

In the past week, the number of new cases plunged by nearly 70% in the nation’s financial capital. After a peak of 11,000 daily cases, the city is recording fewer than 2,000 a day. Even the capital of New Delhi is seeing signs of improvement.

But experts say the crisis is far from over in the country of nearly 1.4 billion people, with hospitals still overwhelmed and officials struggling with short supplies of oxygen and beds.

A well-enforced lockdown and vigilant authorities are being credited for Mumbai’s burgeoning success. Even the capital of New Delhi is seeing whispers of improvement as infections slacken after weeks of overcrowded hospitals and crematoriums.

Experts believe that the country’s steeply rising curve may finally be flattening – even if the plateau is a high one, with an average of 340,000 confirmed daily cases last week.