News
Delhi coronavirus fears mount as hospital beds run out
Ashwani Jain succumbed to the coronavirus in an ambulance as his family pleaded with several hospitals to take him in, the latest victim of the pandemic sweeping through the Indian capital and exposing a deadly shortage of hospital beds.
“They don’t care whether we live or die,” said his 20-year-old daughter Kashish, whose uncle, Abhishek, sat with Ashwani in the back of the vehicle on its desperate journey across Delhi.
“It won’t matter to them but I have lost my father, he was the world to me,” she said, tears welling up as she showed a photo of him.
All of the hospitals the 45-year-old businessman’s family tried refused to admit Ashwani, even though an app set up by the city government indicated Covid-19 beds were free, Abhishek told AFP.
With surging infections highlighting the precarious state of the Indian healthcare system, the death of Jain and others like him have heightened anxiety in Delhi over the growing threat.
More than 1,200 have died from the virus in the Indian capital and more than 1,000 new cases are being reported each day.
Mortuaries are overflowing with bodies and cemeteries and crematorium staff say they cannot keep up with the backlog of victims. Some local Delhi councils say the real death toll is twice the number given by the regional government.
Indian media has been full of tragic stories of people dying after being turned away by hospitals.
One pregnant woman died as she was being shuttled between hospitals. A 78-year-old man petitioned the Delhi High Court for a ventilator bed but died before the matter could be taken up.
India has now recorded more than 300,000 coronavirus cases with nearly 9,000 fatalities.
High price for rare beds
Several families have used social media to recount their harrowing experiences after being refused hospital beds.
Jain’s family had joined a noisy, nationwide tribute to health workers, banging pots and pans from rooftops and balconies after a nationwide lockdown started in March. Now they feel abandoned.
“The government is doing nothing. They are just playing with our feelings,” Kashish said.
Jain’s devastated relatives are now waiting to get tested themselves but the Delhi government allows that for only high-risk and symptomatic family members.
The city government has estimated that it could need 80,000 beds by the end of July, and warned hotels and wedding venues that they are likely to be turned into hospitals.
Currently government hospitals have 8,505 designated pandemic beds while private hospitals have 1,441.
But families say they are being forced to spend a small fortune for the few beds that are available.
Suman Gulati, whose father is a coronavirus patient, said she was asked for one million rupees ($13,200) by a private hospital for a bed.
“Once I paid the money getting a bed was not a problem. But arranging such a huge amount of money at such a critical time was,” she told AFP.
“What if I fall sick next, what will I do? Should I sell my property, my jewellery?”
A sting operation by the Mirror Now TV channel showed five Delhi hospitals asking coronavirus patients to pay up to $5,250 in order to be admitted.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has accused private hospitals of lying about available beds and promised tough action if they were found extorting money.
On Sunday, Home Minister Amit Shah said 500 of some 20,000 train coaches reserved as coronavirus wards would be “immediately” allocated to the state by the national government, adding some 8,000 beds.
Experts are questioning the city’s handling of the pandemic however.
Virologist Shahid Jameel said Delhi, like other major cities, has not tested enough people. So far, it has covered just one percent of its population.
“At the moment Delhi government is doing everything to make people panic,” he told AFP.
“It should be testing aggressively. I don’t understand the logic of testing only people who are symptomatic. How will you find how much the infection has spread in the community if you don’t test them?”
Shah said after a meeting with the Delhi government Sunday that testing for the virus would be stepped up.
Reporting and photos: AFP
Easter at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa arrives as a season of renewal, set against a backdrop of turquoise waters and endless skies. From March 3 to 11, the resort unveils a carefully composed programme of culinary artistry and immersive experiences, designed for those seeking an elevated island retreat.
On this private sanctuary, Easter is reimagined as a time for gathering and reflection. For families, the resort’s Duplex Series, including the Two-Bedroom Duplex Beach Pool Villas and the Duplex Overwater Pool Villas, offers a sophisticated “home away from home.” These expansive, multi-level residences provide the space and privacy essential for multigenerational travel, ensuring that the joy of the season is shared in comfort beneath the open Maldivian skies.
The First Chapter: A Salutation to the Sea
The journey commences on Good Friday, April 3, with From the Sea. Hosted upon the Horizon Deck, this experience is less a dinner and more a sensory tribute to the Indian Ocean. As the sun dips below the lagoon, guests are invited to a ritual of purity
The Good Friday experience focuses on the simplicity of the sea. The menu features sustainably sourced seafood, prepared with precision to highlight natural flavours without pretence. Surrounded by panoramic lagoon views and the evening breeze, guests are invited to enjoy a rare moment of stillness, marking a serene start to the Easter season.
The Gathering: A Celebration of Togetherness
Easter Sunday on March 5 at Aailaa is a day defined by the ease of island life and the joy of a shared table. The morning begins with a celebratory breakfast featuring a curated selection of international specialties, followed by an evening Grand Buffet that balances traditional holiday favorites with modern, island-inspired creations.
Set against the backdrop of the turquoise lagoon, the day is designed for slow, meaningful moments. Whether it’s the lingering over seasonal desserts or the quiet comfort of a family dinner, the experience at Aailaa provides a refined space for guests to reconnect and celebrate the holiday in the heart of our tropical sanctuary.
Community by JW: A Garden-to-Table Journey
At the heart of the celebration lies a deeper connection to nature. Through the Community by JW initiative, guests are invited to reconnect with the land in the resort’s vibrant JW Garden.
Guided by the culinary team, participants harvest fresh herbs and seasonal ingredients before transforming them into interactive pastry creations. This immersive garden-led experience reflects the resort’s commitment to sustainability and mindful living, offering guests a meaningful way to engage with their surroundings while celebrating the essence of renewal.
A Sanctuary for Every Generation
The resort’s 60 private pool villas, each attended by a dedicated Thakuru (Butler), serve as a secluded base for the holiday. To explore the island’s natural beauty, guests of all ages are provided with complimentary bicycles, allowing families to wander the sandy paths at their own pace, from the quiet corners of the gardens to the water’s edge.
For younger explorers, the Family by JW Little Griffins’ Kids Club, one of the largest in the Maldives—offers a world of discovery with a rotating schedule of over 100 weekly activities. This allows parents the freedom to find their own balance through holistic wellbeing and island relaxation.
This Easter, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa offers more than just a holiday; it provides a return to what matters most. It is a season defined by elegance, intention, and the simple, timeless beauty of life lived by the sea.
The Savor the Endless package elevates the stay with a USD 300 resort credit per stay, complemented by daily breakfast, a three-course lunch, and a three-course dinner for two at select restaurants. A one-time floating breakfast served in the privacy of the villa adds an indulgent highlight, while a 60% reduction on food at Hashi and Shio invites guests to explore the resort’s culinary offerings. Earn up to 40,000 bonus points for Marriott Bonvoy® member. Additionally, guests can get complimentary non-motorised watersports provide effortless enjoyment on the lagoon, alongside the attentive service of a dedicated Thakuru (personal butler), complimentary bicycles, and a one-time 30-minute photography session with one printed keepsake to preserve moments in paradise.
For more information, visit the resort’s website.
Milaidhoo Maldives has announced the upcoming stay of internationally acclaimed photographer Greg Finck, who will host an exclusive photography workshop on Tuesday 21st April on the boutique private island.
Over the past 15 years, Greg Finck has become one of the most sought-after names in wedding and event photography, documenting exceptional celebrations across the globe. Beyond weddings, he has refined his artistic vision through travel and fashion photography, collaborating with renowned fashion houses including Elie Saab, Balenciaga and Rime Arodaky.
Greg’s signature style is elegant, natural and timeless, capturing his subjects in their most honest light. Influenced by legendary fashion photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino and Patrick Demarchelier, he continually challenges convention while maintaining a refined aesthetic. He has been named one of the world’s top wedding photographers by Harper’s Bazaar and has been featured in leading international publications including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, The New York Times and Martha Stewart Weddings.
During his time at Milaidhoo, Greg will lead an intimate workshop designed for photography enthusiasts and creative minds alike. Set against the island’s pristine shores and turquoise waters, the session offers a rare opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s most celebrated talents in an inspiring, natural setting.
This special collaboration reflects Milaidhoo’s commitment to curating meaningful experiences that connect guests with artistry, creativity and place.
For further information or to reserve a place at the workshop, please contact welcome@milaidhoo.com.
To celebrate World Sleep Day, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort invites guests to embrace the brand’s Sleep Well philosophy through a week-long program of deeply relaxing experiences. Thoughtfully designed with rest in mind, the wellness-led offerings encourage guests to unplug, unwind, and reconnect with the benefits of truly restorative sleep in one of the Maldives’ most tranquil island settings.
From March 7–13, 2026, guests can enjoy a series of experiences designed to bring a deeper sense of calm to their stay, from a soothing Sleep Infusion Turndown featuring chamomile, lavender, and caffeine-free green tea, to quiet pauses inspired by the island’s natural rhythm.
Marking World Sleep Day on March 13, the resort will host a Yoga Nidra session, a guided meditation practice that induces a state of consciousness between sleeping and waking, led by Heavenly Spa by Westin. That evening, a sunset cocktail reception will offer a sleep-inspired twist, featuring drinks crafted to help support a restful night.
Guests can also explore The Nap Map that highlights peaceful spots across the island for daytime rest. Whether lounging along the resort’s white-sand shores, swaying gently in a hammock, or tucked away into a quiet corner amid lush greenery, each nap zone offers an invitation to slow down. An extended breakfast service until noon on March 13 adds the perfect reason to sleep in.
The celebration also spotlights the resort’s year-round commitment to sleep wellness. From Westin’s award-winning Heavenly® Bed to the Sleep Well Lavender Balm, infused with lavender and chamomile oils, every detail is designed to support a more balanced, restorative stay. Guests can also enjoy the Sleep Well Menu, featuring lighter evening dishes created to complement a calmer nighttime routine. Sleep-focused offerings extend to families, thanks to the resort’s partnership with Savvy Sleep pediatric specialists, who created The Westin Maldives Kids Sleep Manual to help children and parents enjoy a more restful getaway.
Beyond Sleep Well, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort continues to champion holistic well-being with experiences that help guests eat and move well throughout their stay. From the 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio and scenic running routes to Gear Lending, yoga sessions, and treatments at the overwater Heavenly Spa by Westin™, the resort offers a wellness-led island escape designed for a full reset.
Nestled within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort blends contemporary overwater and beach villas with nature-led surroundings and purposeful wellness experiences, allowing guests to reconnect with themselves in one of the Maldives’ most serene destinations.
Plan your next Maldivian wellness getaway at westin-maldives.com.
-
Cooking1 week agoA spring of flavours: Nowruz dining series at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa
-
News1 week agoPulse Hotels & Resorts unveils Aura Maldives, a mindful luxury sanctuary
-
News1 week agoSun Siyam Iru Fushi sets new nenchmark with 24 Hour Premium All Inclusive Dine Around
-
Fitness1 week agoOUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru launches expanded wellness programming for 2026
-
Action1 week agoSheraton Maldives Full Moon celebrates sixth anniversary of Reefscapers collaboration
-
Featured1 week agoYou & Me Maldives unveils curated Premium All Inclusive programme
-
Awards6 days agoCentara Mirage Lagoon Maldives named Luxury Family Friendly Resort of the Year
-
Cooking1 week agoPatina Maldives hosts Chef Shannon Bennett for exclusive April residency