With the COVID-19 crisis in India deepening, the United States has issued a Level 4 health notice.
The United States has asked its citizens to leave India “as soon as it is safe to do so”.
An advisory has been issued by the US Department of State saying that access to medical care has become severely limited in India due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.
“New cases and deaths from COVID-19 have risen sharply throughout India to record levels. COVID-19 testing infrastructure is reportedly constrained in many locations. Hospitals are reporting shortages of supplies, oxygen, and beds for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related patients,” said the US Department of State in an alert.
The Level 4 alert issued by the United States has further advised its citizens not to travel to India.
It has further urged its citizens to opt for direct flights between India and the United States that are still operating.
“US citizens who wish to depart India should take advantage of available commercial transportation options now. Direct flights between India and the United States are offered daily, with additional flight options available to U.S. citizens via transfers in Paris and Frankfurt,” read the health alert.
Meanwhile, the United States on Thursday dispatched a medical supplies consignment to India to fight the deadly second wave of COVID-19.
“Today, the United States deployed the first of several emergency COVID-19 relief shipments to India. Arriving in New Delhi from Travis Air Force Base on the world’s largest military aircraft, the shipment includes 440 oxygen cylinders and regulators, generously donated by the State of California,” read a statement from the United States Department of State.
“In addition, on this first flight, USAID will send 960,000 Rapid Diagnostic Tests to identify infections early to help prevent the community spread of COVID-19, and 100,000 N95 masks to protect India’s frontline healthcare heroes,” the statement added.