India’s Second COVID-19 Wave: a Hit to the Country’s Economic Recovery

Abstract

Several factors are behind the second wave of the pandemic in India. Among many factors, election rallies and religious festivals were blamed for the second wave. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed large unmasked public gatherings during the election campaigns. Also, the large gathering for the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu festival, raised questions over its being the super-spreader event. The new variant (now called the Delta variant) was also said to be responsible for the second wave. The situation only got worse as India's health system collapsed during the second wave. There were shortages of hospital beds, medical oxygen, PPEs, antiviral drugs, and vaccines. The local governments’ limited lockdowns to curb the infections, as the federal government was hesitant to impose nationwide lockdown again in the fear of another recession.