India reported a record number of Covid19 cases for the fifth straight day on Monday while the official death toll also jumped. Official data showed there were 352,991 new reported cases over a 24hour period as total infection numbers crossed 17 million. At least 2,812 people died which pushed the total death toll to over 195,000 media reports suggest that the official death rate is likely undercounted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis government has faced criticism for allowing large crowds to gather for religious festivals and election rallies in various parts of the country this year. Prior to the second wave, India had on average around 10,000 new cases daily. But so far in April alone, the South Asian nation has reported more than 5 million new cases, sending the countrys health care system to the brink. Hospitals have run out of beds and are turning away even critically ill patients. There is a severe oxygen supply shortage, partly due to uneven distribution across states. That has led to the deaths of many Covid19 patients as the government scrambles to send supplies to the worsthit states by road, rail and air.

Indian media reported that billionaire Mukesh Ambanis Reliance Industries will produce over 700 tonnes of medicalgrade oxygen per day at one of its oil refineries. It would reportedly be given to worsthit states for free. Tata Group said last week it will import 24 cryogenic containers, which are also reportedly in short supply, to transport liquid oxygen….