In what probably signals the beginning of Covid-19 pandemic’s second wave in Maharashtra, the state reported more than 23,000 cases on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the state recorded 23,179 cases and 84 deaths, taking the total to 23,70,507 cases and 53,080 deaths.
These figures take the state back to September, 2020, when it recorded the peak in cases, followed by gradual flattening of the curve, which saw a northward movement in February-March, 2021.
The highest cases recorded in a single day in Maharashtra were 24,886 on September 11, 2020.
The jump comes on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation with chief ministers of various states, during which Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray briefed him about the situation and the measures being taken.
“Today, 23,179 new patients have been tested positive in the state. Also, 9,138 patients have been cured today. In total, 21,63,391 patients are cured and discharged from the hospitals Total active patients are 1,52,760. The patient recovery rate in the state is 91.26 per cent,” state Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Rajesh Tope said.
During the day, in Mumbai 2,377 cases were recorded, while the same for Mumbai metropolitan region was 4,811.
In the state, 6,71,760 people are in home quarantine and 6,738 are in institutional quarantine.
“The situation is alarming. The situation must not go out of hand else things would be difficult,” said Dr Suhas Pingle, Chairman, Action Committee, IMA-Maharashtra.