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India becomes third country to top 300,000 COVID-19 deaths as vaccine shortage bites



india-becomes-third-country-to-top-300000-covid-19-deaths-as-vaccine-shortage-bites
Cremation sites are struggling with the number of dead, Photo - EPA

By Esha Mitra, New Delhi, May 24 (CNN): India reported 4,454 new Covid-19 fatalities on Monday, bringing the country's death toll to 303,720, according to the Indian Ministry of Health.

India is the third country to report more than 300,000 deaths from the virus, after Brazil and the United States, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The health ministry also reported 222,315 new coronavirus infections, marking the fourth consecutive day that the number of cases reported in the country has declined.

However, Monday's death count is the highest daily death toll reported since May 19.

India has reported a total of 26,752,447 cases of coronavirus, according to the Indian Ministry of Health on Monday. At least 196,051,962 doses of Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered since January 16.

In the capital region of Delhi, supplies of the Covaxin vaccine may have already run out, Atishi Marlena, a senior member of the local government tweeted Sunday.

“It a serious matter of concern that after Monday, Covaxin will not be available for the second vaccine dose of those in the 45+ category!” Marlena said.

According to the Delhi government’s vaccination bulletin on Sunday evening, 1,530 doses of Covaxin vaccines were available in the territory.

The Delhi government on Sunday halted vaccinations for those between the ages of 18 and 44 due to a shortage of vaccines.

“There is a shortage of vaccines in the whole country ... if everyone receives the vaccine then perhaps we can save ourselves from the third wave,” Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Sunday.

The Ministry of Health said states will be provided 40,650 vaccine doses over the next three days.