Coronavirus updates: Maharashtra reports 59,907 new cases, highest spike ever

The UK is administering the first doses of the Moderna vaccine, the third authorized in the country against the coronavirus. Patients at the West Wales General Hospital were receiving the jab on Wednesday. Britain has ordered 17 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, enough for 8.5 million people. The rollout comes as the UK medical regulator investigates another vaccine, made by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, which has been given to more than 18 million people in Britain. Several countries have restricted the AstraZeneca jab's use in younger people while scientists investigate a small number of cases of rare blood clots in people who have received the vaccine.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said the state has requested the Centre for the supply of oxygen for medical use from nearby states. "12 metric tonnes of oxygen is produced and over 7 tonnes of oxygen is consumed daily. We've urged that we should be supplied medical oxygen from the nearby states. If a need arises, we'll close down the industries that use oxygen but won't let the supply of medical oxygen be affected," Tope said. "We are working on various technologies for obtaining oxygen for medical purpose. I came across a technology on Tuesday which can absorb oxygen from open air. That will also decrease the need for liquified and pressurised oxygen," the Minister added. Tope further said that the state government is also looking to speed up the setting up of oxygen plants proposed in Mumbai, Palghar and other areas.