First emergency COVID 19 supplies from the US arrives in India

New Delhi : India received the first COVID-19 emergency aid supplies from the United States on Friday morning as the second wave has gripped the nation. More than 3 lakh new coronavirus cases are being added to the country's caseload everyday for more than a week. 

In the US aid, 400 oxygen cylinders, nearly one million rapid coronavirus test kits, and other hospital equipment came in a super galaxy military transporter. The aircraft landed at Delhi's International airport this morning, news agency AFP reported.

In a tweet, the US Embassy shared pictures of the supplies and said: "The first of several emergency COVID-19 relief shipments from the United States has arrived in India! Building on over 70 years of cooperation, the United States stands with India as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic together. #USIndiaDosti (sic)."

Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden has affirmed sustained support to India in its fight against Covid. "Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need," Biden said in a tweet.

The United States is "delivering supplies worth more than $100 million in the coming days to provide urgent relief to our partners in India," State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Thursday.

With 1.83 crore total cases, India has logged the second highest number of Covid cases after the United States that has recorded 3.22 crore infections so far.