Coronavirus live updates: India adds 16,922 new Covid-19 positive cases in last 24 hrs; tally stands at 4.73 lakh

Nearly 65,000 ASHA workers likely to get monthly pay hike of Rs 2,000 as incentive for their work during Covid-19 crisis in Maharashtra; proposal to be discussed in state cabinet meeting: Official

Petrol price hiked 16 paise per litre, diesel by 14; rates up Rs 8.66 for petrol and Rs 10.63 in diesel in 19 days.

Amid high production, prices of PPEs and test kits crash

PPE kit prices of 100 GSM (gross square metre) have crashed in select markets to Rs 168 apiece from Rs 600 a few weeks ago, and those of RT-PCR testing kits have dropped to Rs 600 from nearly Rs 1,700 earlier. Read more

Health Ministry official says 57.43 per cent patients have recovered from Covid-19 so far.

75,60,782 samples tested till 24th June. 2,07,871 samples tested in the last 24 hours: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

418 deaths and highest single-day spike of 16,922 new Covid-19 positive cases reported in India in last 24 hours.

Positive cases in India stand at 4,73,105 including 1,86,514 active cases, 2,71,697 cured/discharged/migrated & 14,894 deaths: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Australia's Qantas airline to cut 6,000 jobs as virus hits, reports AP.

Qantas plans to cut at least 6,000 jobs and keep 15,000 more workers on extended furloughs as Australia's largest airline tries to survive the coronavirus pandemic.Qantas announced a plan Thursday to reduce costs by billions of dollars and raise fresh capital. The plan includes grounding 100 planes for a year or more and immediately retiring its six remaining Boeing 747 planes.

Prince William visits Oxford vaccine development facilities, reports PTI.

The royal was given a tour Wednesday of the manufacturing laboratory where the experimental vaccine has been produced. He also looked at a laboratory where samples from the clinical trial are being examined by researchers. The trials began April 23 and 10,000 people in the UK are in the process of being vaccinated to assess the potential success of the treatment.

464 students writing exam, 20 will sit in one class. 2 rooms are for those from containment zones and those who are unwell: Principal, St Joseph's Convent Girls high school to ANI

"Working for the last 3 weeks to get everything in place. Ensuring they maintain social distancing, wear masks, and sanitise," the Principal said.

Global Covid-19 cases top 9.4 million: Johns Hopkins University

The overall number of global Covid-19 cases has topped 9.4 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 482,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University.By Thursday morning, the total number of cases stood at 9,405,800, while the fatalities increased to 482,128, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.With 2,380,452 cases and 121,969 deaths, the US continues with the world's highest number of Covid-19infections and fatalities, according to the CSSE.Brazil comes in the second place with 1,188,631 infections and 53,830 deaths.

Eiffel Tower reopens with strict virus restrictions

Tourists and Parisians will from Thursday again be able to admire the view of the French capital from the Eiffel Tower after a three-month closure due to the coronavirus -- but only if they take the stairs.Visitors to the city's most famous monument won't be able to take the lifts until July 1, to ensure a safe distance between people to limit infection risk.The very top of the iconic monument will remain off limits to the public for now.

Read: Human trial of new Covid-19 vaccine begins in UK

Volunteers have begun being immunised with a new UK coronavirus vaccine. About 300 people will have the vaccine over the coming weeks, as part of a trial led by Robin Shattock and his colleagues, at Imperial College London.Tests in animals suggest the vaccine is safe and triggers an effective immune response.Experts at Oxford University have already started human trials.

Read: How world is learning to live with Coronavirus pandemic

Around the world, governments that had appeared to tame the coronavirus are adjusting to the reality that the disease is here to stay. But in a shift away from damaging nationwide lockdowns, they are looking for targeted ways to find and stop outbreaks before they become third or fourth waves.

The number of new coronavirus infections in the United States is approaching record daily levels, with more than 35,900 cases recorded in the past 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University (AFP)

US states reimpose virus measures as cases spike, reports AFP