India Prime Minister Modi calls COVID ‘invisible enemy’ in first public address since start of country’s second wave

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi referred to COVID-19 as the “invisible enemy” during his first public address regarding the nation’s devastating second wave.

Tens of thousands of residents across India have been sickened or have died amid the recent surge in coronavirus cases. Hospitals over the last several weeks have been stripped of necessary supplies, including oxygen, as medical facilities nationwide fill up with more and more patients infected with the fast-spreading disease.

On Friday, health officials reported 343,144 new infections, pushing the overall caseload past the 24 million mark, while deaths from COVID-19 increased by about 4,000 in the last 24 hours.

In the last week alone, India has added nearly 1.4 million cases and more than 16,000 deaths, bringing the overall number of fatalities to 262,317, according to health ministry data.

“In front of us is an invisible enemy and this enemy has many faces. Because of coronavirus, we have lost a lot of our loved ones,” Modi said before a virtual farmers’ benefits meeting, according to CNN.

Modi’s comments Friday marked his first regarding the virus since April, when he denied the nation needed to go into lockdown to better slow the spread of coronavirus.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he addresses a public meeting at Jerenga Pathar in Sivasagar district of India's Assam state on January 23, 2021.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he addresses a public meeting at Jerenga Pathar in Sivasagar district of India's Assam state on January 23, 2021.


Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he addresses a public meeting at Jerenga Pathar in Sivasagar district of India's Assam state on January 23, 2021. (BIJU BORO/)

In the past month, nearly a dozen of India’s 28 federal states have announced some restrictions, but they all fall short of the nationwide lockdown imposed last year at the start of the pandemic. Modi previously called on states to only consider lockdowns “as the last option.”

The move sparked widespread backlash, with medical experts and residents alike, criticizing the government not only for its lack of action, but lack of preparedness as well. They’ve pointed specifically to the dwindling amount of oxygen and a shortage of hospital beds in most parts of the country, spurred by the second wave.

A health worker wearing protective gear walks past coronavirus patients inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a COVID-19 care center in New Delhi on May 10, 2021.
A health worker wearing protective gear walks past coronavirus patients inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a COVID-19 care center in New Delhi on May 10, 2021.
Patients breathe with the help of oxygen provided by a Gurudwara, a place of worship for Sikhs, under a tent installed along the roadside amid the COVID-19 pandemic on the outskirts of New Delhi on May 10, 2021.
Patients breathe with the help of oxygen provided by a Gurudwara, a place of worship for Sikhs, under a tent installed along the roadside amid the COVID-19 pandemic on the outskirts of New Delhi on May 10, 2021.
A woman covers her nose as smoke and fumes rise from the burning funeral pyres of the patients who died of COVID-19 from her house near a makeshift crematorium on May 9, 2021, in New Delhi, India. India broke a fresh record on Thursday with over 412,000 new cases of coronavirus as the total number of those infected according to Health Ministry data neared 20 million. The real figure could be up to ten times higher, many health experts say, due to a lack of widespread testing or reporting, and only patients who succumbed in hospitals being counted. Hospitals have begun turning away people suffering from COVID-19, having run out of space for the crushing number of people seeking help.
Family members wearing PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) perform the last rites for a person who died of COVID-19 at a crematorium on May 9, 2021, in New Delhi, India.
Family members wearing PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) perform the last rites for a person who died of COVID-19 at a crematorium on May 9, 2021, in New Delhi, India.
Family members of a person who died of COVID-19 perform the last rites at a crematorium on May 09, 2021, in New Delhi, India.
Family members of a person who died of COVID-19 perform the last rites at a crematorium on May 09, 2021, in New Delhi, India.
Workers close the lid of a CNG furnace as the last rites of the patients who died of the COVID-19 are performed at a crematorium on May 09, 2021, in New Delhi, India.
Workers close the lid of a CNG furnace as the last rites of the patients who died of the COVID-19 are performed at a crematorium on May 09, 2021, in New Delhi, India.
A family member offers prayers during the cremation of his loved one who died due to COVID-19 at a cremation ground in Allahabad on May 8, 2021, as India recorded more than 4,000 coronavirus deaths in a day for the first time.
A family member offers prayers during the cremation of his loved one who died due to COVID-19 at a cremation ground in Allahabad on May 8, 2021, as India recorded more than 4,000 coronavirus deaths in a day for the first time.
Employees of Michael Undertakers Ambulance Services wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) suits seal the coffin of a COVID-19 victim before the burial at a Christian cemetery in Pali village near Faridabad, India on May 8, 2021.
Employees of Michael Undertakers Ambulance Services wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) suits seal the coffin of a COVID-19 victim before the burial at a Christian cemetery in Pali village near Faridabad, India on May 8, 2021.
Burning pyres of the victims who died of COVID-19 are pictured at an open-air crematorium set up for the coronavirus victims inside a defunct granite quarry on the outskirts of Bangalore, India on May 8, 2021.
Burning pyres of the victims who died of COVID-19 are pictured at an open-air crematorium set up for the coronavirus victims inside a defunct granite quarry on the outskirts of Bangalore, India on May 8, 2021.
Family members and undertakers carry the body of a victim who died of COVID-19 at an open-air crematorium set up for coronavirus victims inside a defunct granite quarry on the outskirts of Bangalore on May 8, 2021, as India recorded more than 4,000 coronavirus deaths in a day for the first time.
Family members and undertakers carry the body of a victim who died of COVID-19 at an open-air crematorium set up for coronavirus victims inside a defunct granite quarry on the outskirts of Bangalore on May 8, 2021, as India recorded more than 4,000 coronavirus deaths in a day for the first time.
Patients who contracted the coronavirus rest while connected to oxygen supplies inside the emergency ward of a COVID-19 hospital on May 03, 2021, in New Delhi, India. India recorded more than 360,000 coronavirus cases in a day for the 12th day in a row as the total number of those infected according to Health Ministry data neared 20 million. The real figure could be up to ten times higher, many health experts say, due to a lack of widespread testing or reporting, and only patients who succumbed in hospitals being counted. A new wave of the pandemic has totally overwhelmed the country's healthcare services and has caused crematoriums to operate day and night as the number of victims continues to spiral out of control.
Medical staff attends to a patient who has contracted the coronavirus inside the emergency ward of a Covid-19 hospital on May 03, 2021, in New Delhi, India.
Medical staff attends to a patient who has contracted the coronavirus inside the emergency ward of a Covid-19 hospital on May 03, 2021, in New Delhi, India.
Patients who contracted the coronavirus lie in beds while connected to oxygen supplies inside the emergency ward of a COVID-19 hospital on May 03, 2021, in New Delhi, India.
Patients who contracted the coronavirus lie in beds while connected to oxygen supplies inside the emergency ward of a COVID-19 hospital on May 03, 2021, in New Delhi, India.
Relatives carry the body of a victim who died due to the COVID-19 virus at a cremation ground in New Delhi on May 2, 2021.
Relatives carry the body of a victim who died due to the COVID-19 virus at a cremation ground in New Delhi on May 2, 2021.
A man wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) performs the last rites of a deceased relative in a disused granite quarry repurposed to cremate the dead due to COVID-19 on April 30, 2021, in Bengaluru, India.
A man wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) performs the last rites of a deceased relative in a disused granite quarry repurposed to cremate the dead due to COVID-19 on April 30, 2021, in Bengaluru, India.
A crane places new biers in a disused granite quarry repurposed to cremate the dead due to COVID-19 on April 30, 2021, in Bengaluru, India.
A crane places new biers in a disused granite quarry repurposed to cremate the dead due to COVID-19 on April 30, 2021, in Bengaluru, India.
Men wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) perform the last rites of a deceased relative in a disused granite quarry repurposed to cremate the dead due to COVID-19 on April 30, 2021, in Bengaluru, India.
Men wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) perform the last rites of a deceased relative in a disused granite quarry repurposed to cremate the dead due to COVID-19 on April 30, 2021, in Bengaluru, India.
A medical worker inoculates a man with the Covaxin Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine, at a health center in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
A medical worker inoculates a man with the Covaxin Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine, at a health center in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
A medical worker takes a swab sample of a woman for a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test for the Covid-19 coronavirus screening at a testing center in Hyderabad on April 29, 2021.
A medical worker takes a swab sample of a woman for a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test for the Covid-19 coronavirus screening at a testing center in Hyderabad on April 29, 2021.
A medical worker takes a swab sample of a child for a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test for the Covid-19 coronavirus screening at a testing center in Hyderabad on April 29, 2021.
A medical worker takes a swab sample of a child for a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test for the Covid-19 coronavirus screening at a testing center in Hyderabad on April 29, 2021.
A medical worker prepares a jab of the Covaxin Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine, at a health center in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
A medical worker prepares a jab of the Covaxin Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine, at a health center in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
A health official takes a swab sample from a woman to test for the Covid-19 coronavirus at a testing center in Allahabad on April 29, 2021.
A health official takes a swab sample from a woman to test for the Covid-19 coronavirus at a testing center in Allahabad on April 29, 2021.
A medical worker inoculates a man with a dose of the Covishield Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine at Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality, a hospital in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
A medical worker inoculates a man with a dose of the Covishield Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine at Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality, a hospital in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
Patients breathe with the help of oxygen provided by a Gurdwara, a place of worship for Sikhs, under a tent installed along the roadside amid the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in Ghaziabad on April 29, 2021.
Patients breathe with the help of oxygen provided by a Gurdwara, a place of worship for Sikhs, under a tent installed along the roadside amid the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in Ghaziabad on April 29, 2021.
Health workers wearing personal protective equipment attends to Covid-19 coronavirus positive patients inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a covid care center in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
Health workers wearing personal protective equipment attends to Covid-19 coronavirus positive patients inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a covid care center in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
Covid-19 positive patients are seen inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a covid care center in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
Covid-19 positive patients are seen inside a banquet hall temporarily converted into a covid care center in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
Covid-19 coronavirus patients rest inside a banquet hall temporarily temporarily converted into a Covid-19 coronavirus ward in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
Covid-19 coronavirus patients rest inside a banquet hall temporarily temporarily converted into a Covid-19 coronavirus ward in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
A Covid-19 coronavirus patient with breathing problems lays inside an ambulance while waiting to be admitted in a hospital in Allahabad on April 29, 2021.
A Covid-19 coronavirus patient with breathing problems lays inside an ambulance while waiting to be admitted in a hospital in Allahabad on April 29, 2021.
A relative a Covid-19 coronavirus victim grieves outside a hospital in Allahabad on April 29, 2021.
A relative a Covid-19 coronavirus victim grieves outside a hospital in Allahabad on April 29, 2021.
People try to console a woman mourning for the demise of her relative who died of Covid-19 coronavirus as the body is being transferred into an ambulance at a mortuary in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
People try to console a woman mourning for the demise of her relative who died of Covid-19 coronavirus as the body is being transferred into an ambulance at a mortuary in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
A medical staff prepares to transfer the body of a patient who died of the Covid-19 coronavirus disease into an ambulance at a mortuary in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
A medical staff prepares to transfer the body of a patient who died of the Covid-19 coronavirus disease into an ambulance at a mortuary in New Delhi on April 29, 2021.
A man wearing PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) waits to perform the last rites of a deceased relative in a new crematorium built to cremate the dead due to Covid-19 on April 28, 2021 in Bengaluru, India.
A man wearing PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) waits to perform the last rites of a deceased relative in a new crematorium built to cremate the dead due to Covid-19 on April 28, 2021 in Bengaluru, India.
Bodies of Covid-19 coronavirus victims lined up before cremation at a cremation ground in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
Bodies of Covid-19 coronavirus victims lined up before cremation at a cremation ground in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
A worker pulls a handcart loaded with firewood for the cremation of a Covid-19 coronavirus victim at Nigambodh Ghat Crematorium in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
A worker pulls a handcart loaded with firewood for the cremation of a Covid-19 coronavirus victim at Nigambodh Ghat Crematorium in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
The dead body of a Covid-19 coronavirus victim lays before cremation at Nigambodh Ghat Crematorium in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
The dead body of a Covid-19 coronavirus victim lays before cremation at Nigambodh Ghat Crematorium in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
Relatives in personal protective equipment (PPE) suits watch the cremation of their loved one who died of the Covid-19 coronavirus at Nigambodh Ghat Crematorium in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
Relatives in personal protective equipment (PPE) suits watch the cremation of their loved one who died of the Covid-19 coronavirus at Nigambodh Ghat Crematorium in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
Relatives watch the cremation of their loved one who died of the Covid-19 coronavirus at Nigambodh Ghat Crematorium in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
Relatives watch the cremation of their loved one who died of the Covid-19 coronavirus at Nigambodh Ghat Crematorium in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
Relatives, friends and graveyard workers prepare to lower the body of a Covid-19 coronavirus victim during the burial at a graveyard in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
Relatives, friends and graveyard workers prepare to lower the body of a Covid-19 coronavirus victim during the burial at a graveyard in New Delhi on April 28, 2021.
Multiple funeral pyres of victims of COVID-19 burn in an area that has been converted for mass cremation in New Delhi, India, Saturday, April 24, 2021.
Multiple funeral pyres of victims of COVID-19 burn in an area that has been converted for mass cremation in New Delhi, India, Saturday, April 24, 2021.

“COVID hospitals are being constructed quickly,” Modi said in response. “Using new technology, we are setting up oxygen plants. In far flung areas of the country, oxygen trains are working to deliver oxygen.”

The prime minister also touted India’s vaccine rollout and encouraged residents to continue to seek out the shot. Nationwide, nearly 40 million people have been fully inoculated against coronavirus.

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