Foreign Policy on the lack of testing which is making India miserable amid rising cases

In just a week India ascended in fourth place with the highest number of confirmed cases from the seventh position. It is now reaching 300,000 confirmed cases.

Delhi is raising the alarm with confirmed cases doubling every 12 days—much faster than the current national average of 22. Authorities in Delhi say that the city could have as many as 550,000 coronavirus cases by the end of July.

Foreign Policy underlined that the lack of testing in the country has made the situation worse. Without adequate data and information, the officials don’t have a picture of what they are fighting against.

According to the report, countries with low average incomes—$1,025 and less—have tested an average of 0.13 percent of their populations, countries with high average incomes—$12,376 and higher—have tested 5.2 percent of their citizens.

The reopening of the economy has accelerated the rise in coronavirus cases. Some debate that the choice between lockdowns and reopening presents a dilemma. The debilitating effects of lockdown were witnessed when thousands of migrant workers swarmed on national highways of India on a journey back to their home. This one-size-fits-all policy was futile. It is suggested that a mix of smart containment strategies devised to the regional variation in disease risk and specific activities that are critical for maintaining food security are needed.