Covid-19: Indian family sees 8 deaths in 20 days

Imalia village situated on the outskirts of Lucknow is embedded in silent shock and grief.

Seven members of a family died within a span of 20 days between April 25 and May 15. The eighth member was unable to bear the shock of successive deaths and died following a cardiac arrest.

The deceased include four brothers of the family.

According to Omkar Yadav, who is now the surviving head of the family, "My four brothers, two sisters and mother died of Covid-19 within days of each other. My aunt could not bear the shock and she died of heart attack."

He further said, "I have performed the last rites of my mother in the morning and then cremated three brothers, the same afternoon. My younger brother and two sisters died in the following days."

Yadav said that his family members were taken to a hospital but they were not provided oxygen beds and proper treatment.

On Monday, he performed the 'Tehravi' ritual of five members of the family. Rituals for the remaining three members will be performed later.

"We are not even sure if there will be any government assistance for us because no one has even contacted us till now," the family member said.