COVID-19: India runs out of medical oxygen as new infections hit 346,786

There is scarcity of medical oxygen in Indian hospitals as the country records 346,786 new COVID-19 cases within 24 hours.

The new figure is the highest daily toll recorded globally.

On Saturday, India maintained the highest single-day toll for the third consecutive day.

The country recorded 2,624 new COVID-19 deaths – the highest daily count so far.

This breaks the country’s own record of 314,835 cases and 2,104 deaths recorded on Thursday.

As the scarcity of oxygen and ICU beds hit hospitals across the Asian country, Max hospital, one of the biggest private hospital chains in Delhi, the nation’s capital, raised the alarm over situation.

“SOS – less than an hour’s oxygen supplies at Max Smart Hospital & Max Hospital Saket. Awaiting promised fresh supplies from INOX since 1am. Over 700 patients admitted, need immediate assistance,” it tweeted.

In an update, the hospital announced that it had received emergency supplies which will last another two hours, adding that more supplies are needed.

Update: We have received emergency supplies at Max Saket and Max Smart which will last another 2 hours. We are still awaiting more supplies.

— Max Healthcare (@MaxHealthcare) April 23, 2021

India is currently the second worst-hit country after the United States.

The country has over 16 million cases and nearly 190,000 deaths.

Globally, more than 146 million persons have tested positive for the virus.

Of the total figure, over 124 million patients have recovered while more than three million patients have died.