As Maharashtra’s Covid-19 tally crossed the 25-lakh mark on Monday; the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government reiterated that it was open for yet another cities-specific selective lockdown, if needed, to combat the pandemic situation.
“The cases are raising, we are hoping that if this is the peak, the cases would come down in the next few days…however, if the cases do not come down then we may have to go in for lockdown in some cities,” state Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Rajesh Tope told reporters in Mumbai.
The cases in cities like Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur are rising fast, he pointed out.
According to him, even while combating the spread, the state wants to pursue aggressive vaccination and cover the vulnerable class – frontline workers, senior citizens and people with comorbidities.
On Monday, the state recorded 24,645 cases and 58 deaths taking the progressive total to 25,04,327 cases and 53,475 deaths.
On the other hand, the financial capital of Mumbai and the larger Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR) recorded 3,262 and 6,212 cases, respectively, pushing the progressive total to 3,65,937 and 8,01,195.
“I wish to emphasise that Maharashtra is carrying out all of the steps in a correct and transparent manner,” Tope said and wondered about the reporting of figures in other states.
“I saw it on TV. There was a huge turnout, more than 75,000 people and no social distancing during cricket match (in Gujarat). Now, look at the public rallies happening in the election-bound states (West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry), the rallies are having a huge crowd, no one is wearing masks, there is no social distancing being followed,” he said.
Tope said that the government in the state has been repeatedly asking to follow norms. “The Chief Minister requested people to wear masks, sanitize and wash hands and maintain social distancing….Over the last couple of days I had discussions with him, he is worried about the situation,” said Tope.