UN report: Delta COVID variant kills 2,40,000 people in India by April-June 2021

The major United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2022 report also said that the human and economic toll of the pandemic is projected to rise again, with new waves of infection with the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19. .

“In India, a deadly wave of delta variant infections killed 240,000 people between April and June and impeded economic recovery. Similar episodes could occur in the near term,” the report said.

The UN Under-Secretary-General said, “Without a coordinated and sustained global approach to contain COVID-19, which includes universal access to vaccines, the pandemic could lead to an inclusive and sustainable recovery of the world economy.” Will continue to take the biggest risk.” Department of Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin said.

Read also: Indian economy on ‘solid track’ recovery, expected to grow 6.5% in FY22: UN

As per the information given by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India, 1,54,61,39,465 vaccinations have been done so far.

The second wave of the COVID19 pandemic wreaked havoc across India as the death toll rose sharply and a spike in infections burdened the healthcare infrastructure in the country. The number of cases of the Omicron variant is now increasing in the country, which is soon overtaking the delta variant of the coronavirus globally.

The report said there are major downside risks in South Asia that could exacerbate the odds in achieving the 2030 Agenda.

“Relatively slow vaccination progress leaves the region vulnerable to new forms and recurrent outbreaks. Financial constraints and inadequate global vaccine supplies continue to undermine full recovery in some countries.”

As of early December 2021, less than 26 percent of the population in Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan were fully vaccinated. In contrast, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka have more than 64 per cent of the fully vaccinated population, the report said.