Covid-19 surge rings alarm bells in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Covid-19 figures zoomed significantly on Wednesday as the state reported 8,807 fresh cases and 80 deaths – taking the state back to what it was nearly four months ago.

The progressive total now stands at 21,21,119 cases and 51,937 deaths.

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What compounded concerns was that, in Mumbai, 1,167 cases and 4 deaths were reported.

On the other hand, 2,018 cases and 21 deaths were reported in the larger Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR).

In terms of daily Covid-19 cases, similar figures used to be reported in October 2020.

At the weekly Cabinet meeting presided over by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the Covid-19 situation was discussed and it was decided to aggressively promote the ‘Mee Jawabdar’ campaign to pursue people to wear masks, wash and sanitise hands and maintain social distancing.

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An update on the vaccination programme was also shared and the plan was reviewed.

"The situation is serious again," said Dr Suhas Pingle, chairman of Action Committee, IMA-Maharashtra.