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India has recorded about 26 million Covid-19 cases - second only to the US and is seen as the new epicentre of the global pandemic. The second wave has overwhelmed the healthcare system in recent weeks, leaving hospitals struggling to cope and critical drugs and oxygen in short supply. In certain areas, infections seem to be slowing down and earlier this week, daily reported cases fell below 200,000 for the first time since mid April. Bhramar Mukherjee, a University of Michigan biostatistician, explains that even if the second wave appears to be waning for India as a whole, it is by no means true for all states as it is still rising in Tamil Nadu and in much of the north east. She also believes that reported numbers of infections and deaths are 'gross underestimates', with 1.2 million deaths being closer to the real figure, rather than the 315,000 that has been reported. Photo: A relative prays during the last rites of a COVID-19 victim at a cremation ground, May 2021 Credit: EPA