India’s COVID-19 Surge Reflects Lack of Sanitation, Infrastructure, Says Health Expert

The recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Indian states underscores the existing healthcare problems namely lack of sanitation and infrastructure.

The recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Indian states underscores the existing problems namely, a lack of access to quality core urban services, especially water and sanitation, said Victoria Beard a professor of city and regional planning at Cornell University and fellow at the World Resources Institute.

Beard focused on how planners need to address urban inequality and poverty, with an emphasis on the Global South. India has the second-highest number of coronavirus cases in the world as infections continue to accelerate, with more than 90,000 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 4.2 million.

Coronavirus
Coronaviruses infect animals, humans, and birds. Human coronaviruses, such as SARS, MERS, and 2019-nCoV cause respiratory distress and even death. The S protein is the infectious agent of the virus.

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Washing your hands for the recommended 20 seconds and social distancing is much more difficult, if not impossible in Indian cities.

“In many Indian cities, more than 40 percent of residents do not have access to safe, reliable, and affordable water directly to their homes. Where households are not connected, they must either pay exorbitant prices for water or leave their homes, wait in line, and use facilities outside the home,” said Victoria Beard.

How do you Stay Safe During COVID-19 Pandemic
- Wash hands after going out or interacting with people
- Wear a filtered mask with the absorbent while surface facing the mouth absorb the germs that you cough out.
- Avoid crowded places.
- Maintain social distancing.
- Avoid eating uncooked meat.

Source-Medindia

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