Official data showed there were 352,991 new reported cases over a 24-hour period as total infection numbers in the country crossed 17 million.
India reported a record number of Covid-19 cases for a fifth consecutive day on Monday while the official death toll also rose.
Official data showed there were 352,991 new reported cases over a 24-hour period as total infection numbers in the country of 1.37 billion people crossed 17 million.
In addition, at least 2,812 new deaths were reported which pushed the official toll to over 195,000.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has faced criticism for allowing large crowds to gather for religious festivals and election rallies in various parts of the country. Prior to the current wave, India had on average around 10,000 new cases daily.
Hospitals have run out of beds and are turning away even gravely ill patients. There is also a severe oxygen supply shortage which has likely worsened the death toll as the government tries to replace supplies in the worst-hit states by road, rail and air.
