The Covid-19 second wave is continuing to batter the Indian shores and destroying everything in its path. 

Be it the already overwhelmed health care facilities across the country or the regenerated optimism of millions of people, the pandemic is doing all it can to take us back to the dark times of the year of the outbreak, that is 2020. 

© PTI

With India registering more than 2 lakh cases for the second day running to take the entire caseload to 1.42 crores, the impact of 2020 2.0 is coming out to be even deadlier than that of last year. 

The sudden increase in Coronavirus cases has led to a desperate need for hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, and other medical facilities, which are seen to become scarce in the future if things do not slow down. 

One of the important medications that are in high demand is the Remdesivir injections, which are provided to people suffering from severe cases of infection. 

© Indiatimes

The government and other authorities have continued to reiterate the need to exercise caution from using the injections as they are not considered to be proven treatment against Coronavirus infections. 

There have even been prohibitions regarding the use of the injections for people suffering from mild to moderate Covid-19 symptoms.

"Remdesivir is to be used only in those who require hospitalization and are on oxygen support. There is no question of its use in the home setting and for mild cases," said NITI Aayog member VK Paul in a statement.

However, despite the warnings and the acute shortage of the drug, the injections are being black marketed throughout the country. 

Parties including several medical shop owners and other people have been arrested for black marketing Remdesivir injections to patients across the country. 

Kanpur: Acting on a tip-off of Military Intelligence Unit, police arrested three people with Remdesivir injections in Babu Purwa area yesterday.

"265 vials of Remdesivir injection have been seized & its genuineness is being checked," said DCP (South) Ravina Tyagi. pic.twitter.com/I9plRIikPi

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 16, 2021

In some parts of the country, the injections are also being sold at astronomical prices. 

In what is seen as desperation among the relatives and family members of patients, many even staged a sit-in protest outside Collector's office in India's western Pune city to demand the anti-viral drug. 

Maharashtra: Relatives & families of #COVID19 patients in Pune sit on protest outside Collector's office demanding Remdesivir. pic.twitter.com/bSLLoWGW4L

— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) April 15, 2021

Chhattisgarh: For Remdesivir injection, a long queue of family members of COVID patients was seen outside a medical store in Raipur on Thursday.

"I have been here since Wednesday morning. My patient needs 6 injections but they won’t give more than one," a man said. pic.twitter.com/BeGHf1U8rY

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2021

The shortage of the drug has invariably led to chaos amid panic-stricken citizens who want nothing else but for their loved ones to recover from the lethal contagion. Many even took to Twitter to express their feelings on the current scenario in the country.

People are dying without oxygen, ventilator and medicine and gov't busy to playing politics and bullying each other's, really very devastating situation in Maharashtra.

— AmoL Pandit 🇮🇳 (@Amolpandit_1) April 15, 2021

Why there were no ample stocks.
These governments learnt nothing from last year. They had so much time to prepare but didn't do anything.
So sad to see fellow countrymen suffering due to covid.

— Kartik (@Kartik75214872) April 16, 2021

Mahadev , help everyone in this difficulty.

— Aashutosh Wadive (@wadiveAashutosh) April 16, 2021

What collelctor can do when India Govt. presided over by PM Modi allows export of Remdesivir. Why no one shows even black flag to Modi when he is speaking in public campaigning for his party allowing big assemblies as well.

— Rabindra Nath Roy (@dgp_roy) April 15, 2021

These are extremely crucial days . Our collective conscience is rising up to battle the gargantuan challenges , will impact our fate of the next many many years . Sending my prayers for all those battling a crisis situation.

— Tuhin A. Sinha तुहिन सिन्हा (@tuhins) April 15, 2021

In last few days, in MH, passionate social media warriors have shown greater sincerity n integrity than @OfficeofUT govt in addressing emergency needs, be it hospital beds,remdesivir or oxygen. Kudos @sukanyaiyer2 @Krunal_Goda n countless others 4 selflessly working to save lives

— Tuhin A. Sinha तुहिन सिन्हा (@tuhins) April 15, 2021

This is a call for help. Urgently need #Remdesivir for my mother who's covid +ive and a chronic patient with Kartagener's syndrome (a rare, severe lung disease). I am in Jamshedpur with her. She has high fever & her O2 is dropping despite continuous O2 support. Kindly amplify.

— Sana Shakil (@sanashakil_TNIE) April 14, 2021

This is a call for help. Urgently need #Remdesivir for my mother who's covid +ive and a chronic patient with Kartagener's syndrome (a rare, severe lung disease). I am in Jamshedpur with her. She has high fever & her O2 is dropping despite continuous O2 support. Kindly amplify.

— Sana Shakil (@sanashakil_TNIE) April 14, 2021

This is demand and supply game... create crisis, make demands, and supply from back door on high rates...

— AamiR IqbaL (@aaamirsh) April 14, 2021

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