PATIL, TOPE TAKE COUNT OF +VE MVA MINS TO 24

MUMBAI: Amid a marked resurgence of Covid-19 infections in Maharashtra in over a week, a number of political leaders, including health minister Rajesh Tope, have tested positive for the virus. “I have tested positive for Covid-19. I am doing fine. I will defeat Covid-19 and be at your service soon. Those who have come in contact with me in the past few days must take all the precautions and get tested, if they develop any symptoms,” Tope tweeted on Thursday night. Tope is being treated at Fortis Hospital in Mulund.

Apart from Tope, water resources minister Jayant Patil, food and drugs administration minister Dr Rajendra Shingne and minister of state for water resources Bachchu Kadu are currently undergoing treatment for Covid-19.

Around 24 ministers from the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government were infected with the virus in the past 11 months.

On Friday, the state saw a further rise in the daily cases, as it clocked 6,112 patients, the highest single-day count, since November 27 (after 84 days), when 6,185 cases were recorded. This has led to concern among the state authorities. The government indicated that lockdown restrictions could return if there’s a constant rise in the cases.the spurt in daily infections is being seen since February 10, when over 3,000 cases were recorded.

To control the spread, many districts, including Mumbai, imposed restrictions. Yavatmal has imposed curfew from Friday midnight, prohibiting gathering of more than five people. Amravati district authorities decided to impose a complete lockdown on Sundays. Akola also decided to impose a lockdown on Sundays and night curfew from Thursday.

“These measures will be taken in targeted areas where the virulence of the virus is more. Hence, some more districts may follow them as chief minister Uddhav Thackeray directed the local bodies to take all the necessary steps to contain the spread. They have been asked to focus on the enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPS) issued by the state to ease lockdown restrictions in a gradual manner,” said a senior official, privy to the development.