Coronavirus live updates: Sputnik V vaccine soft launch scaled up in Delhi, Mumbai, other cities, says Dr Reddy's

The Odisha government on Wednesday extended the partial lockdown for two more weeks till July 1 and divided the state into two categories on the basis of Covid-19 positivity rate, a senior official said. The restrictions will be in force till 5am of July 1, Chief Secretary S C Mohapatra said.

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Dr Amar Patnaik on Wednesday wrote a letter to the Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and urged him to "consider giving free admission beyond any quota and any sanctioned number of seats in any Kendriya Vidyalaya in the country, in any class" to children orphaned due to Covid-19.

Legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh is "stable" and he has been shifted out of Covid ICU to another section of the PGIMER hospital, a statement from his family said on Wednesday.

RS Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority said, "There does exist a digital divide in the country but I do not think if anybody who wants to get vaccinated will be left out because of the digital barrier."

Controversial self-styled godman Asaram, who is serving a life sentence in connection with a rape case in Jodhpur jail, was shifted to the AIIMS on Wednesday after he complained of breathing issues owing to post-Covid complications

Drugs such as ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir and antibiotics like doxycycline and azithromycin prescribed for adult Covid-19 patients have not been recommended for treating children, according to a government guideline issued on Wednesday.