Coronavirus is continuing to soar in India with a record 20,903 cases recorded in the country yesterday. 

There were also 379 new deaths in the last 24 hours bringing the total death toll from the virus to 18,213, data from the Union Health Ministry shows.

There are currently 227,439 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country. Maharashtra has reported the highest number of cases, followed by Tamil, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Rajasthan. 

In Mumbai 6,000 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in a day, a worrying spike in the densely populated city. 

Relatives wearing personal protective equipment carry a coffin into a grave during a funeral service for a Covid-19 victim in New Delhi, India

Authorities say the rise is to be expected as many lockdown restrictions have been relaxed.  

Maharashtra is now focusing on a new protocol which will categorise the highest risk patients to address the high number of deaths. 

In the state, most lockdown restrictions have been eased, with restaurants, shopping malls and parks reopened, and public buses and shared-ride services back on the roads. 

Tamil Nadu saw a single-day rise of 4,343 fresh cases, with the state’s coronavirus tally now reaching 98,392. 

With over 92,175 total infections, Delhi has the highest number of coronavirus cases in India after Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Its hospitals are at a breaking point and authorities have converted some hotels into makeshift coronavirus wards. 

The country’s recent surge prompted authorities in the northeastern state of Assam to impose a two-week lockdown in the state capital of Gauhati on Monday. Pictured: a woman has her papers checked in Gauhati yesterday 

India’s first plasma bank was set up in Delhi on Thursday by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as he appealed to all those who can donate plasma to come forward and help others.  

Globally, India is the country with the fourth-highest number of coronavirus cases, after the US, Brazil and Russia.  

The country’s recent surge prompted authorities in the northeastern state of Assam to impose a two-week lockdown in the state capital of Gauhati on Monday. About 700 new cases were reported there in just four days.

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the rest of Assam will be placed under a night curfew and weekend lockdowns.

He urged people to store essential goods and signalled a tighter lockdown where even grocery stores would be closed.  

Delhi has just over 13,000 beds for coronavirus patients in public and private hospitals. The city government forecasts it will need 80,000 beds by the end of July.

The government has cancelled leave of all healthcare staff and plans to rope in volunteers to fight the crisis.

It has refused to reimpose a lockdown, as the southern city of Chennai has done.

Many in Delhi are worried and are taking matters into their own hands.

Some resident welfare associations are buying oxygen cylinders and other equipment, while using vacant flats as isolation wards – exposing the lack of trust in authorities.