India's Ministry of Health on Sunday reassured the public that more government hospital beds will be freed for COVID-19 patients even as the country recorded a new highest daily number of infections.

India reported a record-high of 261,500 new cases on Sunday, with one-in-six people who underwent tests returning positive coronavirus results, according to the ministry.

New Delhi, India's capital, is the worst-hit city and reported 25,500 infections in the past 24 hours.

The reassurance came as states appealed for more supplies of oxygen and treatment drugs.

The ministry said hospitals normally set aside for employees of ministries or public sector companies should convert some of their wards into COVID-19 facilities equipped with ICU and oxygen-supported beds, ventilators, laboratories and healthcare staff.

"This will go a long way to address the shortage of beds being reported from some states," the ministry said.

The Ministry of Railways added that special trains would transport oxygen tankers to states in desperate need of them.

India is the world's second-worst affected country by COVID-19 and is currently struggling with a surge in infections.

(With input from agencies)