A quarter of a million Covid deaths in India

NEW DELHI: India’s coronavirus death toll passed 250,000 on Wednesday, the third highest in the world, even as comparisons of official data with those from people on the frontlines suggested the true number is several times higher.

The country saw a record single-day rise in Covid-19 deaths with 4,205 fresh fatalities in the 24 hours to Wednesday, taking the country’s death toll to 254,197, while it also saw 348,421 new coronavirus infections in the same period, according to the Union health ministry data

The total tally of Covid-19 cases in country now stands at 23,340,938.

Ten states account for over 73% of the new deaths. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties (793). Karnataka follows with 480 daily deaths.

Across the vast nation, the devastating Covid-19 wave has overwhelmed hospitals with patients and crematoriums with bodies, and many coronavirus deaths are not being properly recorded as such.

Experts say the official quar

AP Family members wait to perform the last rites of a Covid-19 victim at an open crematorium in Bengaluru on Wednesday.