India reports over 200,000 COVID-related deaths, as new outbreak puts healthcare system on brink

The number of people in India who have died as a result of the coronavirus has exceeded 200,000, putting the country's healthcare system on the brink of collapse.

The health ministry on Wednesday reported 201,187 deaths from the virus – with a record-high, single-day death count of 3,293 within the past 24 hours, according to The Associated Press.

India, with 1.4 billion people, is the fourth country to cross the 200,000 threshold, behind the United States, Brazil and Mexico.

The Indian health system is struggling to keep up with infections and deaths – as hospitals run out of beds, oxygen and drug supplies.

Crematoriums have purportedly moved to parking lots to expand operations.

President Biden on Monday announced the U.S. would send surplus doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to other countries including India.

The United States also is looking for ways to get oxygen and other related supplies to India as quickly as possible, National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said Sunday, according to USA Today.

Just 10% of India's population has received one virus shot, and 1.5% has received both.