The COVID-19 pandemic has reached a new record high, with the number of daily global infections now averaging more than 820,000, led by a massive outbreak in India. The World Health Organization says the pandemic is still in its acute phase, with a ninth straight week of rising infections. Almost 5.7 million cases were reported last week alone, which the WHO says is certain to be an underestimate. This is WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “Many countries are still experiencing intense transmission, and the situation in India is beyond heartbreaking.”

On Monday, President Joe Biden spoke by phone with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, promising to send aid, including vaccination supplies, therapeutic drugs and desperately needed oxygen. This comes after India’s government ordered Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to censor about 100 social media posts criticizing Prime Minister Modi’s disastrous handling of the pandemic.