In a grim situation, India recorded its highest single-day Covid spike with 261,500 infections in the past 24 hours, taking the total case tally to 14.7 million, the Union Ministry of Health stated on Sunday morning. During the same period, 1,501 deaths were recorded which pushed that fatality toll to 177,150.

This is the fourth straight day when over 200,000 cases have been recorded in the South Asian country. 

Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh are the five worst-hit states battling the second wave of Covid cases.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the preparedness to handle the ongoing Covid-19 situation.

"Aspects relating to medicines, oxygen, ventilators and vaccination were discussed. Like we did last year, we will successfully fight COVID with even greater speed and coordination," Modi tweeted.

Amid the fresh surge, several states have also reported a shortage of medical oxygen and vaccines.

Night curfews and weekend curfews have been imposed in states witnessing a massive spike.

The fresh surge in cases comes as schools and colleges have reopened, assembly elections being conducted in five states amid huge political rallies and tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims participating in the Kumbh Mela at Uttarakhand's Haridwar, IBNS said.