Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Diesel to Get Cheaper by Rs 8 in Delhi as Kejriwal Govt Slashes VAT to Fuel Covid-19 Hit Economy

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Cautioning people to remain vigilant and careful lest coronavirus spread again in the capital, Delhi Chief Minister said a new challenge had to be won, of reducing the impact of financial blow caused due to the pandemic.

He said that in a cabinet meeting, it had been decided to reduce VAT on diesel from 30% to 16.75%. "This will reduce price if diesel in Delhi from Rs 82 to Rs 73.64 i.e. by Rs 8.36 per litre," he said. The CM added that the job portal recently launched by the AAP government had also aided in providing financial opportunities to people.

A record high single-day spike of 52,123 positive cases and 775 deaths was seen in India in the last 24 hours. Total COVID-19 positive cases stand at 15,83,792 including 5,28,242 active cases, 10,20,582 cured/discharged and 34,968 deaths, according to the health ministry's update.

Flight operations at Kolkata Airport will remain suspended on the following lockdown days, as announced by the West Bengal government -- 5, 8, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 31 August, 2020. "Passengers are requested to contact concerned Airline for changes in flight schedule," Kolkata Airport tweeted.

Here are the LIVE Updates on Covid-19:

▼ Death Toll in US: The death toll from the coronavirus in the US hit 150,000 on Wednesday, by far the highest in the world, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. The bleak milestone comes amid signs that the nation's outbreak is beginning to stabilize in the Sun Belt but heating up in the Midwest, fuelled largely by young adults who are hitting bars, restaurants and gyms again.

▼ US Rep Tests Positive:Representative Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, tested positive Wednesday for the coronavirus, forcing him to abruptly cancel his plan to travel to his home state with President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One, a House Republican aide said. The 66-year-old Gohmert, one of the House's most conservative and outspoken members, is often seen without a mask on. He tested positive at the White House and planned to isolate, according to the aide, who was not authorized to publicly discuss Gohmert's test result and spoke on condition of anonymity.

▼ New Cases in Himachal: Himachal Pradesh reported 73 new COVID-19 cases, including eight members of a family, on Wednesday, taking the tally to 2,404 in the state. Among the fresh cases, 26 were reported from Solan, 13 from Kangra, nine from Kullu, eight from Shimla, seven from Mandi, five from Sirmaur, three from Kinnaur and two Hamirpur, Special Secretary (Health) Nipun Jindal said.

▼ Inmates Released in Odisha: As many as 16,789 inmates of different jails in Odisha have been released on parole to decongest prisons in view of the COVID-19 outbreak, an official said on Wednesday. Director General of Prisons S K Upadhay made the announcement while reviewing progress of implementation of a Supreme Court's order in this regard. Of the prisoners set free on parole by Tuesday, 16,639 are undertrial inmates and 150 convicts, Upadhay said.

▼ Covid-19 Containment Zones in Mumbai: The total number of COVID-19 containment zones in Mumbai stands at 622, said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

▼ Masks Mandatory on US Floor: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will require that masks be worn on the House floor after Louie Gohmert tested positive for Covid-19. Pelosi announced on the House floor Wednesday evening that all members will be required to wear a mask and one will be provided if they forget. She said failure to wear a mask is a "serious breach of decorum" and members could be removed from the chamber if they aren't wearing one. They will be able to temporarily remove them while speaking, however.

▼ State of Emergency Extended in Italy: Italian lawmakers approved extending Italy's state of emergency for the coronavirus through October 15. The move came as Italy counted 289 confirmed new positives, bringing the pandemic total to 246,776. Another six people died, bringing the death total to 35,129.

▼ 10 Lakh Recoveries in India: Ten lakh people have recovered from Covid-19 in India.