Minister: Maha hit by 3rd wave, cases to rise further

Despite spike, no stress on state health system, says Tope

THE MANTRI issued a word of caution for the non-vaccinated people, saying the death rate is high at places, where the vaccination is less

Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope on Monday said that the third coronavirus wave has already hit the state. However, its peak cannot be predicted yet, he said.

The state has reported a steady number of cases for the last couple of days, raising the possibility of the wave being flattened. However, Mr Tope said the cases will rise further.

“The number of coronavirus cases in the state is likely to increase and will reach its peak by the end of January. The cases are expected to see a downward trend afterwards,” said the minister.

Mr Tope attended a review meeting held by union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on

Monday. Later speaking to reporters in Jalna, he said that though the cases are rising, there is no stress on the state health system.

“Nearly 85 per cent of patients are asymptomatic, whereas 13 percent cases are having mild symptoms. Out of 1.73 lakh active cases, only 1,711 are in the intensive care units, while medical oxygen was provided in 5,400 cases. It shows that only one percent of patients are in the ICU, whereas just two per cent need oxygen,” he added.

The minister issued a word of caution for the non-vaccinated people, saying the death rate is high at places, where the vaccination is less. “Hence, we have decided to expedite the speed of vaccination in the state. Nearly 90 per cent people in the state have taken the first dose of Covid, whereas 69 per cent people have taken both the doses,” Mr Tope said.

To tackle the spread of coronavirus, the state government has asked the district collectors to distribute home isolation kits.

“We have instructed the collectors to provide a kit having 20 ml of sanitiser, 10 masks, an information booklet, 10 paracetamol tablets and 20 multi-vitamin tablets to those who are home quarantined,” the minister said.