No lockdown in Gujarat despite growing cases
Roxy Gagdekar - BBC Gujarati, AhmedabadIt's not a hopeful picture in the Indian state of Gujarat, which is governed by India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Cases and deaths have been steadily rising - it had added about 14,300 cases and 170 deaths in 24 hours as of Tuesday night. But the numbers, especially the death toll, could be far higher since local news reports have contradicted official figures for weeks now.
Just getting hold of an ambulance is a demanding task - it takes between two to 48 hours just to book one through the emergency hotline.
And they have no other choice - should they arrive in a private vehicle, they are not admitted. As a result, some people have died outside hospitals.
Despite all this the government has refused to implement a lockdown, saying there is no scientific basis to prove that lockdowns stop the spread of the virus and that lockdowns harm the economy.
Barrage of criticism for Modi as India cases surge
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has seen a barrage of criticism in recent days.An opinion piece in today's Telegraph newspaper did not mince its words, saying "Narendra Modi needs to go."
It isn't alone in its sentiment - an opposition politician has accused him and his government of ignoring scientific warnings to participate in election rallies and allow a massive Hindu festival in northern India.
Dr Navjot Dahiya, the vice president of the Indian Medical Association, called him a "super spreader" who had "tossed all Covid norms in the air."
#ResignModi was even trending on Twitter earlier this week.
State governments, from Delhi to Karnataka, have also been criticised for allowing Covid protocols to lapse and failing to prepare for what epidemiologists say was an inevitable surge.
But the focus is on Mr Modi, who centralised much of the Covid response, and boasted of his government beating the pandemic - until the second wave arrived.
Goa announces strict lockdown
Goa has become the latest state to announce a lockdown.Officials said the strict four-day lockdown would last from Thursday night until Monday morning. Many states have announced similar measures as Covid cases surge.
“If people do not step out for the next four days we will be successful in breaking the chain of this surge,” Goa's Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told local media.
Essential services will remain open, while bars will be shut and restaurants will only be open for deliveries. Tourists will not be allowed out of their hotels for the four-day period.
Goa - famous for its beaches and parties - saw a huge influx of local tourists in February and March when cases were low.
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