The total number of COVID-19 cases in India is nearly 20 million on Monday, as a second wave of the virus is overloading hospitals and causing a shortage in much oxygen supply throughout the country.   

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said Monday the company is discussing with the Indian government how to expedite approval of its COVID-19 vaccine to help with the emergency.

Independent reports suggest the high numbers may be vastly undercounted. 

Foreign assistance is coming from countries including China, France and Germany, after infections climbed by over 8 million since March. 

The surge is suspected to have been caused by virus variants and the huge religious and political gatherings of recent months.  

One in every three new coronavirus cases globally is being reported in India, according to the World Health Organization.

Officials in New Delhi have called for assistance from the army running COVID-19 care centers to help with the crisis as beds and supplies run out. 

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