India reports record coronavirus cases, highest ever deaths in a day
- Last updated: April 19, 2021 | 11:28
Gulf Today Report
India's daily COVID-19 cases jumped by a record 273,810 on Monday as the health system crumbled under the weight of patients, bringing total infections closer to that of the United States, the world's worst hit country.
The country's deaths from COVID-19 rose by a record 1,619 to reach a total of 178,769, according to health ministry data.
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The Indian capital New Delhi will be under a strict lockdown for six days starting on Monday night, the city's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, adding the healthcare system was at a breaking point because of the worsening COVID-19 outbreak.
The city was also facing acute shortages of hospital beds, medical oxygen supplies and key medicines such as the anti-viral Remdesivir, Kejriwal said.
The health system crumbled under the weight of patients as India's daily COVID-19 cases jumped by a record on Monday.
Despite soaring infections, politicians continued to hold mass rallies across the country for state elections.
Social media was flooded with people complaining about the lack of beds, oxygen cylinders and drugs, and citizen groups circulating helpline numbers and volunteering support.
Criticism has mounted over how Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration has handled India's second wave of the pandemic, with religious festivals and election rallies being attended by thousands.
Leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah are set to hold further road shows and public meetings on Monday.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi — who has also addressed election rallies in recent weeks — said on Sunday he was suspending all his public rallies in West Bengal, which is in the middle of polls.
India's capital New Delhi on Sunday urged the federal government to provide more hospital beds to tackle the health crisis. Several major market associations in the city, which is among the country's worst hit, have announced that they will keep their markets closed till April 25.