India reports biggest single-day spike of 2.34 lakh COVID-19 cases, 1,341 deaths
- Apr 17, 2021,
- Updated Apr 17, 2021, 12:48 AM IST
NEW DELHI: India today registered the highest spike in COVID-19 with 2,34,692 new cases over the past 24 hours while 1,341 people succumbed to death.
The Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India had been directed to look for possible sources to import 50,000 metric tonnes of medical oxygen as the sudden surge of COVID-19 positive cases has caused a shortage of the same in the nation.
India has also become the second-worst COVID-19 hit country in the world with 1.45 crore cases so far.
Just like the first wave, India is facing a shortage of medical oxygen cylinders, hospital beds, etc.
Also Read: 4 More COVID-19 Deaths Recorded In Assam; 573 Test Positive In 24 Hours
Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself held several meetings including with Chief Ministers of each state to understand the condition and how to tackle the obstacles.
In a recently released statement, the health ministry stated, "Sources of medical oxygen and their production capacity was mapped to match the requirement of states and an indicative framework has been developed to guide the states on the sources of medical oxygen,”
It added further, “Accordingly, 4880 MT, 5619 MT and 6593 MT have been indicated to these 12 states for meeting their projected demand as on April 20, 25 and 30.”
To date, states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, etc have registered the highest number of cases.
The rate of fatality is so high that reports of melting or breaking of the metal frames of gas furnaces, on which the bodies are kept, and chimneys were coming from Gujarat because of overheating and excessive use.
The Maharashtra government, which is the worst-hit, had asked PM Modi to deploy Indian Air Force to deliver oxygen cylinders. The government had also asked the neighboring states for help but did not receive any due to the lack of supply.