India has also set a new record for infections in a 24-hour period, with more than 52,000 people testing positive.

Cases have continued to soar in states including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

India has the third highest tally of infections in the world after the US and Brazil, while about 35,000 have died.
Despite the mounting caseload, the government further eased restrictions on Wednesday, allowing gym and yoga institutes to reopen from 5 August.