NEW DELHI: India’s new coronavirus infections hit a record peak for a fifthday on Monday as countries including Britain, Germany and the United Statespledged to send urgent medical aid to help battle the crisis overwhelmingits hospitals.

Infections in the last 24 hours rose to 352,991, with overcrowded hospitalsin Delhi and elsewhere turning away patients after running out of suppliesof medical oxygen and beds.

“Currently the hospital is in beg-and-borrow mode and it is an extremecrisis situation,” said a spokesman for the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in thecapital, New Delhi.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all citizens to getvaccinated and exercise caution, while hospitals and doctors have put outurgent notices saying they were unable to cope with the rush of patients.

In some of the worst-hit cities, including New Delhi, bodies were beingburnt in makeshift facilities offering mass services.