India passes half-a-million coronavirus cases

India’s confirmed coronavirus cases crossed half a million on Saturday with another record 24-hour jump of 18,552 infections. The Health Ministry also reported 384 new deaths, raising the total to 15,685.

The surge prompted authorities in the northeastern state of Assam to impose a two-week lockdown in the state capital of Guwahati. About 700 new cases were reported there in just four days. The rest of Assam will be placed under a night curfew and weekend lockdowns.

China has reported an uptick in new cases, a day after the nation’s CDC said it expects an outbreak in Beijing to be brought under control soon.