Check out how BBC journalists covered the Covid crisis in India five years later
In March 2020, India imposed its first Covid lockdown as the world grappled with a global pandemic that took many lives.
India’s healthcare system struggled under the weight of the pandemic, with over 4.7 million estimated Covid deaths, 10 times more than the official count.
BBC India journalists reflect on their experiences covering the crisis, where they sometimes became part of the story.
‘Oxygen, oxygen, can you get me oxygen?’
Soutik Biswas recalls the desperate search for oxygen during the deadly second wave in 2021.
BBC News journalist Yogita Limaye shares the heart-wrenching story of families struggling to find medical care during the second wave in 2021.
Vikas Pandey reflects on the difficult assignment of covering the pandemic, with friends and family seeking help for essential supplies.
He was acquainted with me through a friend and reached out to ask for assistance in finding another doctor after the hospital where his father was admitted informed him that there was no chance of survival. While on the phone with me, he received another call from his wife’s doctor, informing him that they were running out of oxygen for her.
Tragically, he lost his father first, and later messaged me saying, “I was looking at his body while reading SOS messages from Rehab’s hospital for oxygen.” A few days later, he also lost his wife after she gave birth to their daughter. These two incidents hit closer to home than anything else.
Additionally, a relative rapidly deteriorated after being admitted to the hospital. Despite being put on a ventilator and receiving a bleak prognosis from doctors, one of them suggested trying an experimental drug that had shown promising results in the UK.
I made efforts to reach out to anyone who could assist, but the frustration of not being able to find the needed drug to potentially save him was overwhelming. Eventually, with the help of a kind doctor, we managed to obtain one injection, but we still required three more. Fortunately, after someone responded to my tweet and provided three vials, my relative survived.
However, not every story had a happy ending. Another cousin admitted to the same hospital had declining oxygen levels and urgently needed a ventilator, but none were available. Despite my continuous calls throughout the night, the next morning, the hospital ran out of oxygen, resulting in many deaths, including his. He left behind his wife and two young children, leaving me to question if there was more I could have done.
The devastating impact of Covid-19 overwhelmed crematoriums in Delhi, leaving limited space to cremate the deceased. The fear of stepping outside and staying indoors was pervasive as the virus continued to spread, and hopes were pinned on the development of a vaccine.
As the situation worsened, the desperation of the people trying to reach their families during the lockdown became apparent. Amidst all this, the rollout of the vaccination drive brought a glimmer of hope, but tragically, not everyone could be saved, including my own mother.
The lockdown also revealed the plight of migrant workers, with many left stranded and out of work, struggling to make their way back home. Witnessing the struggles of a pregnant woman and her husband on the road left me feeling helpless, as I could only offer them some water and snacks while documenting their journey. Despite my efforts to ensure their safety, not every story had a happy ending, highlighting the harsh realities faced during the pandemic. Han pasado cinco años y todavía me pregunto: ¿La mujer llegó a casa? ¿Sobrevivió? No sé su nombre, pero todavía recuerdo sus ojos cansados y su cuerpo frágil.
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