Maha Covid tally crosses 2.1 million
State records 6,971 new cases, highest one-day spike in 121 days since October 23
MUMBAI: Maharashtra on Sunday crossed a grim milestone of recording more than 2.1 million cases, which coincided with a spike in cases and lockdown in a few districts, since the pandemic broke out in the state in March 2020. The state recorded 6,971 new Covid-19 infections, highest one-day spike in last 121 days since October 23, when the state clocked 7,347 cases. The state’s Covid case tally reached 2,100,884, while toll was pushed to 51,799 with 35 new deaths. Mumbai which has also recorded a steady increase in cases for the past few days, reported 921 new infections on Sunday, taking to count to 319,128.
The spike has forced many districts and cities such as Amravati, Akola, Yavatmal, Pune, Nashik, Parbhani to impose stricter curbs on movement of the people. Amravati city will be placed under lockdown for a week starting Monday, 8pm, guardian minister Yashomati Thakur, said on Sunday. Only essential services will be allowed to function during the lockdown. This will be the first lockdown after the state initiated Mission Begin Again or unlocking activities.
A few other districts in Vidarbha and other parts of the state have imposed other curbs, including night curfew, weekend lockdown, announced closure of the schools and colleges and started penalising people, establishments for not following Covid-19 protocol.
Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray issued an ultimatum to people, warning them of a lockdown if Covid-19 protocol was not followed properly. “It all depends on you, whether you want a lockdown or you are ready to follow the norms to avoid it. The lockdown this time will be more difficult to follow. It will be known only after a week or two if we are facing the second wave of pandemic,” he said. He also announced a ban on social, religious, political gatherings and protests that attract crowding for the next few weeks.
The number of cases in Amravati has been increasing rapidly over the past few days. On Saturday, Amravati (both district and city) reported 1,055 cases, while on Sunday, 926 cases were reported in the district. Nashik guardian minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Sunday announced night curfew will be imposed in the city between 11pm and 5am, however, essential services do not come under the curb. Amravati collector Shelesh Nawal said, “Lockdown has been imposed in Amravati city from 8pm on Monday for seven days.”
Dr Subhash Salunkhe, advisor to the state on Covid control, said, “In the past one week, cases have doubled by 35%. It is like people are inviting trouble upon themselves. Even after so many appeals, Covidappropriate behaviour is not being followed.”