India: More than 401,000 New COVID Cases in 24 Hours

India’s health ministry Saturday reported more than 401,000 new COVID infections and nearly 4,200 deaths in the previous 24-hour period. 

Public health experts believe the staggering statistics in India are likely higher and the surge of cases may not reach its peak until the end of May.  India’s main opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter Friday to implement a national lockdown, accelerate the vaccination campaign and increase tracking of the virus and its mutations.  “Allowing the uncontrollable spread of the virus in our country will be devastating not only for our people but also for the rest of the world,” Gandhi said.