DNA COVID-19 news: As India records over 3 lakh cases, here's all you need to know today

India reported yet another grim milestone of the highest number of daily new Covid-19 cases. A total of 3,32,730 Covid cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, according to health ministry data released on Friday.

Also, India registered over 2,000 daily deaths for the third consecutive day with the highest spike in single-day deaths of 2,263 on Friday, since the Covid-19 pandemic early last year, taking the cumulative death toll in India to 1,86,920 so far.

On Thursday, India had reported 3,14,835 Covid-19 new cases and 2,104 deaths.

The Health Ministry said that a total of 17,40,550 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 27,44,45,653 samples have been tested in the country.

According to the government data, a total of 31,47,782 people were also vaccinated in the same period, taking the total inoculation count to 13,54,78,420.

Here are the latest updates:

*As many as 23 mobile oxygen generation plants are being airlifted from Germany. These will be deployed in AFMS hospitals catering to COVID patients. These oxygen generating plants are expected within a week: Defence Ministry

*PM Modi stated that the Centre is working on all possible options to reduce the travel time and turnaround time of oxygen tankers. For this, Railways has started Oxygen Express. Empty Oxygen tankers are also being transported by the Air-Force to reduce one way travel time: PMO

*West Bengal government notified that the Oxygen consumption in the state will rise in weeks to come. The state’s allocation of liquid oxygen outside Bengal will jeopardise the medical treatment of covid patients in the state. State govt requests the Centre not to divert medical oxygen outside the state.

*"Our oxygen supply chain has been diverted to Uttar Pradesh. The supply chain is being maintained in BJP states. Where will we get oxygen from?" alleges West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

*Oxygen demand is up due to a rise in the number of cases. The steel industry has offered Oxygen from their Plants. So special tankers have been ordered & Govt is helping them in transportation. The supply chain can improve in 5-7 days. Govt's efforts underway: Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman Medanta to ANI.

*Delhi's Max hospital chain on Friday informed that it is suspending any new patient admissions in all the hospitals in Delhi-NCR till oxygen supplies get stabilize, but later withdrew the order after it received the oxygen supply.

An Oxygen carrying vehicle has reached Max Hospital, Saket after the hospital sent an SOS to the Delhi government, says DCP South.DCP also informed that another Oxygen carrying vehicle has reached Max Smart Hospital. On Friday morning, Healthcare provider Max Healthcare informed that it is suspending any new patient admissions in all the hospitals in Delhi-NCR till oxygen supplies get stabilize. "We regret to inform that we are suspending any new patient admissions in all our hospitals in Delhi NCR till oxygen supplies stabilize" the healthcare provider tweeted.

*Oxygen being supplied to hospitals in Lucknow amid Police protection for safe transportation. An Oxygen Plant Manager says, "There's shortage, I don't have liquid. We're supplying only to Lokbandhu hospital & Balrampur hospital, as per govt order. Not providing to pvt consumers."

*Jharkhand: Statewide lockdown imposed in the state till April 29. Essential services to continue. 

*An auto driver in Ranchi offers free rides to people who need to go to hospitals, amid COVID-19 pandemic. Ravi, the driver says, "Doing this since 15th April when I dopped a woman at RIMS after everyone else refused. My number's on social media so people can contact me."

Provide vaccine to the states at the same rate as the Central govt. Please provide an action plan for vaccine availability to the states for running vaccination drive for those above 18 years of age from May 1, said Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel in a meeting of CMs with PM Modi today.

*West Bengal Home Secretary to hold a video conferencing with all DMs today regarding emerging issues related to  COVID-19, with a special focus on oxygen supply chain management.

*"We've liquid medical oxygen that will last one hour and the backup oxygen supply that will last two hours. We are waiting for Linde to come and fill the oxygen tanks, says Dr Sumit Ray, Holy Family Hospital, Delhi.

*"I want to send a message of solidarity to the Indian people, facing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. France is with you in this struggle, which spares no-one. We stand ready to provide our support," says French President Emmanuel Macron.

*The Bombay High Court takes suo moto cognizance of Nashik oxygen leak tanker incident, asks Maharashtra Government to file a reply on it.

*As many as 25 patients have died in last 24 hours at Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. "Oxygen will last another two hours. Ventilators and Bipap not working effectively. Need Oxygen to be airlifted urgently. Lives of another 60 sickest patients in peril," says Director-Medical, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

*Oxygen tanker arrives at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital after the hospital sends SOS.

Another oxygen tanker arrives at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi after the hospital had alerted the government over shortage of oxygen pic.twitter.com/yUTJYHx00z

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a meeting with the Chief Ministers of high burden states, over the prevailing  COVID-19 situation.