As Covid surges, more restrictions expected

Mumbai’s daily new cases stood at 2,445 out of the state total of 3,900; experts say the rapid growth indicates outbreak of Omicron variant

MUMBAI: The state government on Wednesday indicated that it was all set to impose stricter restrictions than at present in order to limit the rate of Covid transmission after Maharashtra and Mumbai recorded another surge in cases. The state reported 3,900 cases (79% more than the previous day) while Mumbai’s daily new cases stood at 2,445 (83% more than Tuesday). Mumbai alone accounted for 62.69% of all of Maharashtra’s cases.

Experts said the surge indicates the beginning of a third wave, and could well be on account of the highly-mutated Omicron variant. Dr Shashank Joshi, member of the state’s Covid-19 task force, said Mumbai is already in the midst of a third wave. “Covid-19 cases jumped from 600 to nearly 2500 in just five days,” he said. “The rapid growth clearly indicates an Omicron outbreak, and this variant will replace Delta. Though medical infrastructure is not overwhelmed, we will have to remain vigilant. The reduced doubling time, a mild disease with no impact on hospitalisations is an indicator of Omicron being the predominant strain in Mumbai,” he said.

Maharashtra’s test positivity rate (TPR, or the number of positive cases per 100 tests) on Wednesday recorded a new high (3.16%). The last time the state recorded a TPR higher than 3% was on August 13 (3.04%). People detected with the Omicron variant also touched a high yesterday with 85 new cases reported from Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Pimprichinchwad, Panvel, Kolhapur, Buldhana and Kalyan-dombivli.

A health official confirmed that 12 of the 85 cases recorded were from the legislature.