The second most populated country in the world, India, has recorded more than 4,000 COVID deaths pushing the countries death toll to over 270,000.

4,077 people had been reported to have died Saturday while the weekly death toll is near 28,000. Daily infection was reported to be 311,170.

India's massive second wave of infections began in February, putting hospitals and medical workers under pressure. Cases have fallen steadily in states hit by an initial surge of infections, such as the richest state of Maharastra and the northern state of Delhi after they imposed stringent lockdowns.

Federal health officials said on Saturday that the overall rate of positive cases had dipped to 19.8 percent this week from 21.9 percent last week, sparking hopes that daily infections have begun to stabilize.

But surges have been seen in states such as Tamil Nadu in the south and rural areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on officials to strengthen healthcare resources in rural areas and step up surveillance as the virus spreads rapidly in those areas after ravaging the cities.