India witnessed a massive spike in COVID-19 deaths as 2023 people died due to the virus in the past 24 hours, as per the Ministry of Health website.

Continuing to witness the spike in the daily count, India also recorded  2,95,041 new cases during the same period.

The total death toll due to the virus now stands at 1,82,553.

There are 2,157,538 active cases in the country at present.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday ruled out any possibility of nationwide lockdown immediately, stating that such a move would be the last resort to combat the spread of Coronavirus and assured citizens that oxygen production has been increased to treat the infected patients.

Addressing the nation over the grim Covid situation in the country and amid a shortage of oxygen supply, Modi said: "We have to save our country from lockdown and I appeal to states to think of lockdown as the last resort. We should rather focus on micro-containment zones."

"We have to take care of our economy as well as save our citizens from the virus," he said.

"I am aware of the hardships you are facing. I extend my condolences to those who have lost a loved one."

 Modi noted that some states are facing oxygen shortage during a time when the country is reporting over 2 lakh cases daily.In his address, he said: "Oxygen demand is high and we are attending to it with full priority. We are trying to make it available to all. We are trying to increase production."

"Last year the situation was grim and we did not have an appropriate medical infrastructure to fight the virus but this year we are in a better position. Our pharma sector has increased the production of medicines."

"More medicines are being produced now than in January and February," he assured.