Maharashtra on Wednesday reported as many as 46,781 new COVID19 cases pushing the total number of cases to 52,26,710. The state also registered 816 deaths taking the death toll to 78,007. As per the state health department, 58,805 recoveries were recorded on Wednesday taking the total recoveries past 4.6 million.
Currently, the positivity rate in Maharashtra is 17.36%, while the recovery rate stands at 88.01%.
Mumbai the financial capital also witnessed a spike in cases. The island city registered 2,104 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the caseload to 681,233. The city’s death toll has also climbed to 13,972 as 66 more people succumbed to the disease on Wednesday.
The State government is planning to extend the Covid-triggered lockdown in Maharashtra till May 31st. State health minister Rajesh Tope said that the cabinet has recommended extending lockdown-like restrictions in Maharashtra for two weeks. He added that chief minister Uddhav Thackeray will take a decision in this regard soon.
As per PTI report, Maharashtra is also preparing for the third wave of coronavirus that will reportedly affect the children. Bombay high court on Wednesday asked the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government to take pre-emptive steps. They also added that the government should also strengthen Maharashtra’s health infrastructure.
Due to the shortage of vaccines the state government has suspended the vaccination of beneficiaries between 18-44 years. The doses will now be given to those above 45 years. Reportedly, Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla has promised the chief minister to deliver 1.5 crore doses of Covishield to Maharashtra after May 20. The vaccination programme for 18 to 45 will be done then.
Also Read: Rajesh Tope: Maharashtra Lockdown Likely To Be Extended Till May 31