People wait to cremate victims who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a crematorium ground in New Delhi, India, April 23, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui
NEW DELHI: India continues to hit a grim world record after recording the highest ever single-day spike with 352,991 fresh coronavirus infections, according to the Ministry of Health database on Monday. The cumulative caseload is now at 17,313,163.
Amid oxygen shortage and the faltering health system in the country, India saw 2,812 deaths in the highest single-day spike. The death toll from the deadly infection stands at 195,116. The country now has more than 2.8 million active cases.
The six most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (4,161,676), Kerala (1,322,054), Karnataka (1,247,997), Tamil Nadu (1,037,711), and Andhra Pradesh (997,462), Uttar Pradesh (976,765) and Delhi (956,348). Maharashtra on Sunday logged 832 Covid related fatalities, which is the highest-ever single-day spike since the pandemic started.
This is the fifth straight day that over 3 lakh cases have been recorded by the country. Nearly 10 lakh cases have been reported in the last 72 hours. Top hospitals, helpless patients and their families and friends have been sending out SOS messages for medical oxygen and medicines on social media.
In his monthly radio address "Mann ki Baat", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the second wave of coronavirus has "shaken the country" and that India's top priority right now is to fight Covid.
In a major boost to its fight against the deadlier second COVID-19 wave, international communities have been outpouring aids to India.
The US confirmed on Sunday that it will "immediately" make available sources of raw materials required to scale up production of the Covishield coronavirus vaccine in India.
Life-saving medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, are being sent from the United Kingdom to India "to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday.
The Saudi government sent 80 metric tons of liquid oxygen on April 24 via the Indian-owned shipping companies Adani Group and Linde.
(with inputs from PTI)