India has reported more than 300,000 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the highest daily global total, while COVID-19-related deaths also jumped by a record.
India's daily jump in cases of 314,835 surpasses the previous highest one-day rise in the world of 297,430 cases posted by the United States in January.
India's total cases are now at 15.93 million, while deaths rose by 2,104 to reach a total of 184,657, according to health ministry data on Thursday.
The news comes after 22 COVID-19 patients on ventilators died in an Indian hospital after their oxygen supply was disrupted by a leak in a supply line.
The supply disruption hit the Zakir Hussain Hospital in Nashik in Maharashtra state, which is the worst hit by the latest surge in coronavirus cases in the country.
Multiple funeral pyres are seen in New Delhi for people who died of COVID-19 Source: AP
Fire officer Sanjay Bairagi said the leak on Tuesday was halted by the fire service within 15 minutes.
Police officer Surinder Sonone said the leak occurred in a pipe connecting the oxygen supply to the main tank in the hospital complex.
Five of the 140 COVID-19 patients were shifted to another hospital, he said.
The state government was investigating the leak, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.
The nationwide surge in coronavirus cases is soaking up supplies of oxygen.
With Reuters.
