The cities of Mumbai and Delhi and India itself, are in serious trouble over the continuing escalation of COVID-19 “double mutant” strain cases (“India reports another record daily rise in coronavirus cases”, April 17, Gulf Today).

Once more, ventilators, oxygen, beds, ICU units are in desperate short supply. If this surge continues, in a matter of days, the health infrastructure in many states could collapse. There are sad pictures of two patients per bed, in some hospitals. Soon, we may have patients being treated on the floors.

The mortality rates are very depressing. Some of the crematoriums are complaining that they do not have enough firewood. So, we are approaching the tipping point.

It is time for India to vaccinate round-the-clock, at every place possible whether hospitals, clinics universities, private offices, parking lots etc. The government should also fast-forward the clearance of foreign vaccines like Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson and transport them on an emergency basis. Let us just pay the market price and airfreight them.

It is unfortunate that the electioneering in West Bengal is yet continuing in full swing, irrespective of the spread of the disease. The BJP, being the ruling party at the centre, could have announced a unilateral stoppage of their campaign, to save lives. Then, Mamata Banerjee would have had to follow suit. This is the time for all political parties to sink their differences and work unitedly to defeat COVID-19.It will be a serious mistake, not to work together on this scourge. India, is under a real health threat now.

Rajendra Aneja — Mumbai, India