Maharashtra on alert as cases rise in Asia, Europe

Pic/Anurag Ahire

Even as the state recorded low Covid-19 numbers on Saturday, Health Minister Rajesh Tope has urged people to not be lax, and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour in view of the Centre's advisory on the infection that is rising quickly in other countries.

Tope said on Saturday that the Centre has written a letter to the state governments, asking them to be alert, as countries are locking down to curb the surge in transmission of the Omicron BA.2 variant.

"We have received a letter from the Central Government to be on alert as there is a surge in Covid-19 cases across European Countries, South Korea and China," said Tope, adding that Maharashtra Health secretary Dr Pradeep Vyas has notified the local bodies and districts to be on guard and take necessary action.

Most Covid-19 curbs that were in place have been lifted, but some concessions have been linked with vaccination status. Only the fully vaccinated are allowed to travel in the city's suburban trains, while inter-state travel is allowed for those having taken two doses or a Covid negative test report.

78,72,300
Total no. of cases in Maharashtra

97
Total no. of cases reported in state in the last 24 hours

29
No. of Covid cases reported in Mumbai in the last 24 hours

1
No. of deaths reported in Mumbai