Coronavirus: Rahul Gandhi criticised the government over its response to COVID-19
Highlights
- Rahul Gandhi criticises government over response to COVID-19
- Country "not testing enough" people for coronavirus: Mr Gandhi
- 68 died in India from COVID-19, fresh cases rise to 2,902
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi today criticised the government over its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the country is "not testing enough" people for the novel coronavirus. A novel virus is one that has not been previously identified in humans.
"India is simply not testing enough to fight the #Covid19 virus. Making people clap & shining torches in the sky isn't going to solve the problem," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
He added a chart that claims India is testing 29 people per million population, which he said is behind Pakistan that is testing 67 people per million in the population. South Korea is testing 7,622 per million population, according to the chart tweeted by Rahul Gandhi.
"Why is Indian testing so low? Because PM does not care," the Congress MP tweeted, alluding to the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund or PM CARES Fund, which is seeking contributions from people in India and abroad to fight COVID-19.
PM Modi has asked people across India to switch off their lights and hold candles, lamps and mobile flashlights at 9 pm on Sunday, April 5, for 9 minutes in a nationwide show of solidarity, to fight the "darkness of coronavirus".
The appeal was criticised by some opposition leaders as unnecessary at a time when health professionals who are at the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 are seeking more personal protective equipment and testing kits.
The previous appeal by PM Modi to clap in support of health workers had also drawn criticism after people were seen gathering outside instead of practising social distancing, defeating the purpose of the exercise. The World Health Organisation has said the novel coronavirus can spread from surface contact and respiratory droplets.
Sixty-eight people have died in India after being infected with COVID-19, the Health Ministry said today, as the country recorded the highest number of cases (601) and deaths (12) on Friday. The fresh cases take the total to 2,902.