Maharashtra: Time to mask up in crowded places, says Health minister

A woman wears a mask while shopping at Crawford market for Christmas, on Thursday. Pic/Ashish Raje

After reviewing the Covid-19 surge in other countries and the concern arising out of it in the state, Health Minister Tanaji Sawant has advised people to not worry, but follow precautions such as wearing masks in crowded places.

Sawant made a statement in the legislature in Nagpur on Thursday after meeting Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and health department officials. In addition, the Cabinet met to review the preparedness. Currently, Maharashtra has 132 active patients of whom 22 are hospitalised. The samples are being sent for genome sequencing.

Also Read: Covid-19: 'Strain driving China surge was found in India before but did not cause spike'

"In view of the global scene and the possibility of transmission growth, the government has reviewed the vaccination status and effort to ramp it up, " the minister said. Each district will have a nodal officer to monitor the situation, he said. The minister consulted the Central authority and reviewed a presentation by the state officials.

"Considering last week's data cases have been decreasing in the state by 30 per cent. The positivity rate is 0.29 per cent. Though the situation in Maharashtra is under control, in China, Japan, America and Brazil the virus is on the rise. The variant BF. 7 found in China has been found in Maharashtra as well and treated. So there is no need to worry," he said, appealing to the people to follow precautions that have been advised time and again.