Highlights: Union minister Smriti Irani tests positive for Covid-19

Maharashtra reports 6,738 new Covid-19 cases, 8,430 recoveries and 91 deaths, as per State's Public Health Department.

The Covid-19 tally of the state rises to 16,60,766, with 14,86,926 recoveries and 43,554 deaths. Active cases at 1,29,746

Union minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday said she has tested positive for Covid-19. Irani requested those who have made contacted with her recently to get tested for coronavirus.

"It is rare for me to search for words while making an announcement; hence here’s me keeping it simple — I’ve tested positive for Covid and would request those who came in contact with me to get themselves tested at the earliest," she wrote on Twitter.

With experts predicting a major surge in Covid-19 cases in the coming months in Delhi, the city's first coronavirus patient Rohit Datta, who was diagnosed with the infection on March 1, made an appeal to the masses to "not lower our guard" by getting into a casual festive mode, reports PTI

Hong Kong has banned Air India flights from Mumbai till November 10 after a few passengers on its flight earlier this week tested positive for Covid-19 post arrival, a senior government official said on Wednesday, reports PTI

France is bracing for a potential new lockdown as the president prepares a televised address Wednesday aimed at stopping a fast-rising tide of virus patients. Many French doctors are urging a new nationwide lockdown, noting that 58% of the country's intensive care units are now occupied by COVID patients and medical staff are under increasing strain, reports AP.

Indonesia's coronavirus infections have passed the 400,000 mark, with 4,029 new cases confirmed on Wednesday, according to health ministry data.

The Southeast Asian country has 400,483 cases. With the addition of Wednesday's 100 more COVID-19 deaths, it has recorded 13,612 fatalities, reports Reuters.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday said that the suspension of scheduled international passenger flights has been extended till November 30 amid the coronavirus pandemic. "However, the international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis," the Indian aviation regulator said in a circular, reports PTI.

The Czech Republic reported 15,663 new coronavirus cases for Oct 27, its highest daily tally, health ministry data showed on Wednesday. The total number of cases rose to 284,033 while deaths climbed to 2,547. The country has been struggling with one of Europe's fastest growing infection rates, reports Reuters.

In a bulletin, the ministry said total confirmed infections have risen to 375,180 while deaths reached 7,114. The Philippines has the second most number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Southeast Asia after Indonesia, reports Reuters.

Russia on Wednesday recorded 16,202 new coronavirus cases and a record high 346 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the national death toll to 26,935, reports Reuters.

Single-day recoveries outnumbered new Covid-19 cases in Tripura, as 160 more people tested positive for the infection while 202 more people were cured of the disease on Wednesday, a health official said, reports PTI.

The number of daily coronavirus deaths in Ukraine jumped to 165 from the previous record of 141 fatalities registered on Oct 21, the national security council said on Wednesday, reports Reuters.

Amid the surge in Covid-19 cases in Delhi over the past few weeks, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said that all schools in the national capital will remain closed until further orders.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants a meeting with state leaders on Wednesday to agree to close all restaurants and bars from Nov 4 in a bid to curb coronavirus infections but keep schools and nurseries open, as per newspaper Bild, reports Reuters.

Telangana recorded 1,481 #COVID19 cases, 1,451 recoveries and 4 deaths yesterday, taking total cases to 2,34,152 including 2,14,917 recoveries, 1,319 deaths and 17,916 active cases: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/is7f1geVMf

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2020