Coronavirus live updates: Maharashtra reports 31,855 new Covid cases in highest single-day spike

Shanghai will offer COVID-19 vaccinations for foreign residents, local authorities announced late on Monday. It marks the first time a city in China has made its vaccine available widely to non-Chinese citizens. According to a public notice, beginning March 29 foreigners "of appropriate ages" may book appointments online to receive a domestically developed shot.The procedure will cost people without insurance 100 yuan ($15.35).

A total of 81% of 401 fresh samples sent by Punjab for genome sequencing have tested positive for the new UK Covid-19 variant that is suspected to be fuelling a second wave in the state. “As Delhi’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has found that 81% of the samples has the new variant identified as B 1.1.7, there is a high likelihood of the UK strain stoking the fresh spike in Punjab,” Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, Covid-19 nodal officer, Punjab, said.

State-owned Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited has sought permission from the Union government to set up a BSL-3 laboratory on its campus for production of Covaxin. The company had sought permission from the Indian Council of Medical Research in the first week of March, under ‘Mission Covid Suraksha’, for the vaccine’s manufacture.

A total of 81% of 401 fresh samples sent by Punjab for genome sequencing have tested positive for the new UK Covid-19 variant that is suspected to be fuelling a second wave in the state. “As Delhi’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has found that 81% of the samples has the new variant identified as B 1.1.7, there is a high likelihood of the UK strain stoking the fresh spike in Punjab,” Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, Covid-19 nodal officer, Punjab, said.

The test must have taken place within 72 hours of the entry

The directive issued to all district and division-level officers said the COVID-19 testing of all those coming to Uttar Pradesh during the Holi festival from the states reporting high numbers of cases will be necessary. It mandated coronavirus tests for passengers at railway stations, bus stations and airports besides reactivating helpdesks, running dedicated COVID hospitals in all districts and keeping other hospitals ready for any future needs.