TheCable

India has recorded more than 300,000 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours — making it the highest single-day tally in the world.

According to the country’s ministry of health, 314,835 cases of infections were recorded.

The Asian country is in its second wave and has seen a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in recent times and also battling oxygen shortage for patients.

The country’s healthcare centres are reportedly filled and struggling to cope with the daily records of infections

A total of 15 million infections have been recorded while deaths from the disease rose by 2,104 to reach 184,657.

According to experts, the new virus variants, specifically a “double mutant” variant that originated in the country are largely responsible for the spike in infections.

The Indian government has come under criticism for its lax safety protocol — holding packed political rallies for local elections and allowing a religious festival to take place where millions of people had gathered.

The country began its vaccination drive in January, targeting elderly people and those with co-morbidities, but the authorities have announced that vaccines will be available to anyone over the age of 18 from May 1.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked state governments to impose lockdowns as a last resort.

Modi said the government is working to increase the supply of medical oxygen; ensure adequate supply of hospital beds, vaccines and he asked residents to stay indoors.

“The situation was manageable until a few weeks ago. The second wave of infections has come like a storm,” Modi said in a televised address.

“The central and state governments, as well as the private sector, are together trying to ensure oxygen supplies to those in need. We are trying to increase oxygen production and supply across the country.”