India’s new COVID-19 cases stay above 300,000, army called to help

Family members sit next to the burning funeral pyres of those who died from the coronavirus disease during a mass cremation, at a crematorium in New Delhi, India April 26, 2021. [Reuters]

India's Coronavirus death toll neared the bleak milestone of 200,000 with another 2,771 fatalities reported on Tuesday, while its armed forces pledged urgent medical aid to help battle the staggering spike in infections.

Over the past 24 hours, India recorded 323,144 new cases, slightly below a worldwide peak of 352,991 reached on Monday, with overrun hospitals turning away patients due to a shortage of beds and oxygen supplies.