India recorded a record number of coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday, with 4,329 deaths confirmed.
The Associated Press reported that more than 260,000 new cases were reported in India on Tuesday, continuing a trend of the number of cases dropping after dipping under 300,000 for the first time in weeks on Monday.
India is currently battling a new surge in coronavirus cases that has devastated the health care system.
Despite the drop in confirmed coronavirus cases, deaths have continued to rise, and hospitals in India continue to be flooded with patients, the AP noted. Experts have warned that cases and deaths are likely being underreported.
Due to the apparent lag in testing, the Health Ministry said on Monday that 17 new labs would be opened to track COVID-19 variants.
Cases in the past month have tripled, and reported deaths have increased by six times, the AP reported. However, testing has increased by only 1.6 times.
According to the World Health Organization, India has confirmed more than 25 million coronavirus cases and more than 278,000 related deaths.
Due to the recent surge, multiple countries, including the U.S., Canada, Italy and Indonesia, have blocked or limited travel from India.
The AP noted that although India opened vaccines to most adults this month, administration has dropped. Many Indian states have said they do not have enough vaccine doses to give out.