New coronavirus cases in India are 273,810, with 1,619 deaths on Monday, which is a new daily record amid a second wave of the pandemic. Hospitals and health care infrastructure is overburdened.

The latest peak brought the total cases to 15 million, with 178,769 deaths so far, stated Indian Health Ministry.

This is the fifth consecutive day that more than 200,000 cases were reported - the highest surge in cases since the beginning of the pandemic last year.

New Delhi and several of the country's worst-hit states, including western Maharashtra, have complained of shortages of medical oxygen, beds and Covid-19 medicines in hospitals.

On social media in India often could be seen people constantly pleading for hospital beds, oxygen and drugs. News reported crematoria and graveyards struggling to keep up with deaths.

Several states reported shortages of medical oxygen, beds and Covid-19 medicines in hospitals.

Prime Minister Modi convened a meeting on Monday to discuss the medical challenges, including low stocks of Covid-19 vaccines and medicines, at the same time when capital Delhi will enter a six-day lockdown.