At a time when India’s confirmed coronavirus epidemic exceeded 9.2 million cases and more than 130,000 deaths, a senior leader of the opposition Congress Party died of complications caused by the novel coronavirus on November 25 local time.
Ahmed Patel, a senior leader of the Congress Party, died of multiple organ failure caused by the novel coronavirus on the same day in a hospital in the satellite city of Gurugram, Delhi, reported on November 25. It is also the second senior leader of the Congress Party to die of COVID-19 in just a few days.
Patel is the senior leader of the Congress Party and the treasurer of the party. He has close ties with the party leader Gandhi family. On October 1, he was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus and was hospitalized. Last week, Patel’s family confirmed that he had been transferred to the intensive care unit, but the situation “has improved”.
But in the early morning of the 25th, Patel died of multiple organ failure.
Patel’s family then issued a statement confirming his death. Patel’s son Faisa also tweeted to call on the Indian people to abide by the epidemic prevention guidelines issued by the Indian government and avoid mass gatherings.
Patel’s death triggered a large-scale hanging in Indian politics. Prime Minister Modi tweeted that he was saddened by Patel’s death and thanked him for his contributions to the people and society.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi also said that she had lost an “irreplaceable comrade, a loyal colleague and friend”. Her son Rahul Gandhi called Patel the “pillar” of the Congress Party and his death was sad.
Tarun Gogoi, another senior congressman of the Congress Party, died of complications earlier this week after contracting the virus in Assam, eastern India. Previously, he served as Chief Minister in Assam for 15 years.
India has 44,376 new infections and 481 deaths, according to data released Wednesday by the Ministry of Health. India has 9.22 million infections, second in the world after the United States, with nearly 134,700 deaths.
According to Reuters, although the number of infections in a single day in India has been below 50,000 for the 18th consecutive day, government officials and health experts have warned that after the busy festival, the number of infections in India may surge again.
According to the Times of India, in response to the soaring number of COVID-19 cases, the New Delhi municipal government has decided to add another 4,000 beds, including ICU beds, in designated hospitals for COVID-19 by the end of November.
The New Delhi Municipal Government has asked 90 private hospitals to reserve 60% of the beds for COVID-19 patients, which will increase the number of 2,644 beds. Government hospitals will also add 1,413 ICU beds.
