Coronavirus live updates: Lockdown in UP from 10pm on July 10 till 5am on July 13

Five million people in Australia's second-biggest city began a new lockdown Thursday, returning to tough restrictions just weeks after they ended as Melbourne grapples with a resurgence of coronavirus cases.Residents have been told to stay at home for six weeks after other measures to contain a spike in Covid-19 failed to prevent the virus spreading.

The United States reported more than 60,000 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, the biggest increase ever reported by a country in a single day, according to a Reuters tally. In addition to nearly 10,000 new cases in Florida, Texas reported over 9,500 cases and California reported more than 8,500 new infections. California and Texas also each reported a record one-day increase in deaths.

There have been more than 546,000 deaths linked to the virus so far, within the same range as the number of yearly influenza deaths reported worldwide. The first death was reported on Jan. 10 in Wuhan, China before infections and fatalities surged in Europe and then later in the United States.

All of the new infections were imported cases, according to a statement by the National Health Commission. China reported six new asymptomatic patients, same as a day earlier.

The United States on Wednesday reported more than 60,000 Covid-19 cases over the previous 24 hours. The US reported 60,021 new cases with Arizona, California, Florida and Texas accounting for nearly half of all new cases. The US toll sits at 131,594.

Pharma major Cipla on Wednesday said it has launched its generic version of antiviral drug remdesivir at Rs 4,000 per vial, which is among the lowest globally, and is looking to supply over 80,000 vials within the first month. Cipremi is priced at Rs 4,000 per 100 mg vial, Cipla said. To further ensure equitable distribution, the drug will be available through government and hospital channels only. Cipremi has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for restricted emergency use in the country.

India may record about 2.87 lakh coronavirus cases per day by the end of winter 2021 in the absence of a Covid-19 vaccine or drug intervention, according to a modelling study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), but noted the projections should be interpreted as indicators of potential risk and not precise predictions of future cases. The researchers noted that the top ten countries by projected daily infection rates at the end of winter 2021 are India with 2.87 lakh infections per day, followed by the US, South Africa, Iran, Indonesia, the UK, Nigeria, Turkey, France, and Germany.

India had recently spoken of creating travel corridors with US, UK, France and Germany to facilitate travel during the pandemic and till schedule flights are resumed. With the Gulf, arrangements are being to operate charter flights to allow both way travel of eligible people.

India recorded its biggest single-day spike on Wednesday with 25,530 fresh Covid-19 cases, breaching the 25,000-mark for the first time, even as the toll raced past the 21,000-mark with the country recording over 400 deaths for the sixth consecutive day. The spike in fresh cases — fifth record single-day peak in the last seven days — comes amid increased countrywide testing in the last few days. While 1.8 lakh people were tested on Sunday, this rose to 2.41 lakh on Monday and 2.62 lakh on Tuesday.

The health ministry has asked the three companies — Hetero, Cipla and Mylan — making generic versions of Covid-19 drug Remdesivir in India to regularly give details of production, stocks and sales in the wake of complaints of shortage-driven blackmarketing and overcharging. “The MRP of Remdesivir marketed by Hetero Healthcare Limited is Rs 5,400 but consumers have reported it being sold at a price of anywhere between Rs 15,000 to 60,000,” a complaint received by health ministry said.

Some states have significantly increased coronavirus tests, with Tamil Nadu having conducted 4 lakh tests, the highest, in just 14 days, between June 19 and July 2. In percentage terms, Delhi has scaled up its battle against the virus with a 199% increase in testing — from 79,600 tests conducted during June 5-18 to 2.38 lakh between June 19-July 2. Covid testing in TN has increased by 70%. The lowest percentage-wise increase in testing Covid samples has been recorded by Rajasthan and West Bengal at 7% each for tests conducted during the two fortnights compared in the TOI study.

Free ration of 5 kg to be distributed to all families in critical containment zones

New timings shall be from 7 am to 12 pm. The time from 11 am to 12 pm shall be used for replenishment of stocks

India recorded its biggest single-day spike on Wednesday with 25,530 fresh Covid-19 cases, breaching the 25,000-mark for the first time, even as the toll raced past the 21,000-mark with the country recording over 400 deaths for the sixth consecutive day. The spike in fresh cases comes amid increased countrywide testing in the last few days. 1.8 lakh people were tested on Sunday, 2.41 lakh on Monday and 2.62 lakh on Tuesday.

A spike of 22,752 Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours has pushed up India's coronavirus infection count which went up to 7,42,417 on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the rate of recovery among Covid-19 patients continues to increase and has touched 61.53 per cent, according to the Union health ministry.