India crosses 300,000 COVID deaths; vaccine drive hit by shortage

Total number of virus-related deaths climbs to 303,720, the third-highest toll in world after the US and Brazil.

India has crossed 300,000 coronavirus deaths, the third country after the United States and Brazil to hit the grim figure as it battles a huge second wave of infections now affecting the countryside and several states halt vaccination drive due to shortage of doses. India’s health ministry on Monday reported 4,454 coronavirus-related deaths over the last 24 hours, with the total death toll now standing at 303,720 after adding 50,000 deaths in just under two weeks. Daily coronavirus infections rose by 222,315, taking the country’s caseload to 26.75 million, according to the health ministry data.