India's death toll hits new record as COVID19 'tsunami' worsens
NEW DELHI - India's daily coronavirus death toll set a new record Saturday as the government battled to get oxygen to hospitals overwhelmed by the hundreds of thousands of new daily cases.
Another 2,624 deaths were reported in 24 hours, taking the official toll to nearly 190,000 since the pandemic started. Stung by criticism of its lack of preparation ahead of the wave of infections, the central government has organised special trains to get oxygen supplies to the worst-hit cities. One 'oxygen express' carrying 30,000 liters for hospitals arrived in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh state, where armed guards were waiting to escort trucks that would carry the oxygen to hospitals.
Twenty patients at the Jaipur Golden Hospital in the capital died during the night as it suffered oxygen shortages, the hospital's director told Indian media.