India has reported more than 300,000 new coronavirus cases in a 24-hour period – the biggest one-day total seen anywhere in the world since the pandemic began.

The country’s health ministry said there had been 314,835 new cases on Thursday, a number that passes the previous record – 297,430 in the US in January.

The previous day, India had reported 295,041 new COVID-19 cases.

India’s number of deaths rose by 2,104 to reach a total of 184,657.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said earlier this week that India was facing a coronavirus “storm” which was overwhelming its health system.

Hospitals are facing a severe shortage of beds and oxygen, with some private hospitals in Delhi warning they have less than two hours’ supply of the gas.

People have crowded into refilling facilities, trying to refill empty oxygen cylinders for relatives in hospital.

At least 22 patients in western India died on Wednesday when the oxygen supply to their ventilators ran out due to a leak.

There have even been instances of looting oxygen tankers.

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Mr Modi has been criticised for allowing big gatherings such as weddings and festivals where crowds can mix in confined spaces.

He has also addressed packed political rallies for local elections, speaking to millions of people.

Despite the fact that hospitals are struggling, Mr Modi said earlier this week that state governments should not impose a harsh lockdown.

Instead, he suggested micro-containment zones in an effort to avoid damaging the economy.

But the state of Maharashtra has strengthened its restrictions until at least the beginning of May.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

All offices – except those providing essential services – must operate with no more than 15% of their staff.

Travel by private vehicle is only allowed for medical emergencies.

And only medical workers and government employees can ride on the trains.

So far, India has administered nearly 130 million doses of the vaccine but this is still a small effort when compared with its population of 1.35 billion.

Currently, only frontline workers and those aged above 45 are eligible but all adults are expected to be allowed a dose from May.

There could be delays ahead, with the country’s Serum Institute warning that it will not be able to reach 100 million doses per month until July, compared with its previous forecast of late May.

Related posts:

Footballer who wore rainbow armband during Euro 2020 games won’t face disciplinary action Transgender weightlifter makes history as she’s picked for New Zealand’s Olympics squad UK’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth proves object of curiosity for Russia Train driver faces trial over crash that killed 80 people in Spain Japan prepares for Olympics Opening Ceremony as PM vows to ‘fulfil our obligation to the world’ North Korea fires submarine-launched ballistic missile, says South – and it disrupts Japan election campaign Protesters in Chile clash with police two years after landmark uprising – as election race hots up China does ‘not need UK actions to encourage’ it to be more ambitious in tackling climate change Injuries and arrests during ‘orgy of violence’ at COVID-19 riots that saw police open fire ‘It’s a desperate situation’: Fuel purchases limited in Canadian province after torrential rains and mudslides ‘No to vaccination’: Thousands take to streets in European cities to protest against COVID measures Pensioner in France kills bear with rifle after part of his leg torn off in attack