New Delhi: Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed 42 transport aircraft for COVID-19 relief tasks, including 12 heavy lift and 30 medium-lift aircraft. IAF aircraft are engaged in several works including airlifting oxygen containers from other countries and medical oxygen transportation within the country as the second wave of COVID-19 continue to ravage the country. "IAF has deployed 42 transport aircraft for COVID relief tasks including 12 heavy lift and 30 medium lift aircraft. They're used to bring in relief measures, personnel and material from abroad," said Air Vice Marshal M Ranade. "So far we've lifted about 75 oxygen containers and it is in progress," Ranade added. IAF has deployed 42 transport aircraft for COVID relief tasks including 12 heavy lift &30 medium lift aircraft. They're used to bring in relief measures, personnel& material from abroad. So far we've lifted about 75 oxygen containers & it’s in progress: M Ranade, Air Vice Marshal pic.twitter.com/yfU6B2sUtg — ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2021 Talking about the vaccination of the crew, Ranade said, "As of now, 98% air personnel had first shot & close to 90% have had second shot. We're rapidly moving towards 100% vaccination. It had two-fold effect on them- first is the physical which means they are better prepared, second is psychological." As of now, 98% air personnel had first shot & close to 90% have had second shot. We're rapidly moving towards 100% vaccination. It had two-fold effect on them- first is the physical which means they are better prepared, second is psychological: Air Vice Marshal Makarand Ranade — ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2021 India reported 4,01,078 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to the union health ministry on Saturday. The cumulative number of cases in the country has now gone up to 2,18,92,676. India registered 3,18,609 discharges in the last 24 hours, pushing the overall recoveries to 1,79,30,960. The country's death toll has reached 2,38,270 following 4,187 deaths in the last 24 hours. At present, India has 37,23,446 active coronavirus cases.
