Spike in Covid-19 cases could bring in more restrictions in Maharashtra

A crowd at the Bandra Wonderland light show, on Wednesday. Pic/Shadab Khan

Maharashtra Health minister Rajesh Tope has expressed concern over Mumbai's test positivity rate that has increased manifold, and the doubling period that has decreased drastically over the past one week. He expects more restrictions in the city and state if the situation does not improve, especially to prevent crowding.

This week the cases in the city rose from 490 to 2,200 in just seven days. During the second wave it took over a month. On February 15, the city registered 493 cases and they had increased to 2,201 on March 17.

Mumbaikars, most without masks, throng the Poisar weekly bazaar at Kandivli, on Wednesday. Pic/Satej Shinde

Tope said on Wednesday that Mumbai's test positivity rate has increased to 4 per cent and it would be alarming if it crossed the 5 per cent mark in the coming days. He said though a lockdown isn't needed at this stage, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the State COVID Task Force, and the Health Department would think about bringing in strict measures to prevent crowding that has been on the rise due to functions, in public places/transport and establishments.

‘Seven-fold rise in cases'

Over 90 per cent of the cases currently are from high-rises so far. Wards such as A, D, G south, H West, K west consisting of Colaba, Nariman point, Mahalaxmi, Parel, Bandra west, Andheri west that have maximum buildings and skyscrapers have more patients.

A passenger is tested at LTT on Wednesday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

"The number of symptomatic patients is less than 10 per cent but as the number of cases increases with alarming speed, the number of hospitalisations has increased," said an official from the BMC.

In similar conditions, during the onset of the second wave in February, the rate of increase wasn't this high. The cases were around 400 in the first week of February. They started rising after February 10, after trains were thrown open to everyone. The cases seemed to be under control for a week. But on February 17, the city reported 721 cases. Then the cases took another week to grow and crossed the 1,500 mark only after March 10. On March 17, the city registered 2,377 new patients and on March 24, they doubled to 5,185. On April 4, the city registered the highest daily cases in the second wave - 11,163.

"There has been a seven-fold increase in the active cases in Mumbai since December 20. The doubling rate has come down to eight days and the positivity rate has increased to 4 per cent. The state's overall daily number has doubled in eight days, and we are having 2,000 cases daily," Tope told media persons.

Of 167 Omicron cases in Maharashtra, 91 have recovered. "No death by Omicron has been reported and there have been no serious complications. The patients did not have to be put on oxygen," said the minister, while dispelling the unwarranted fear of the new Coronavirus variant.

He said that considering the decision taken by other countries, the state would suggest the Centre examine the possibility of reducing the quarantine period for Omicron positive but asymptomatic people. "As of now, the ICMR guidelines are being followed strictly by us," he added.

Focus on crowding

According to the minister, the thrust will be on COVID appropriate behaviour, more restrictions for the public places that attract huge crowds, weddings, ceremonies, parties and other functions. He said thought will be given to the increasing number of public transport travellers and the establishments were appealed to encourage work from home.

The government needs to prioritise vaccinating people as the state has a target of fully vaccinating 9.25 crore people. As of Tuesday, 57 per cent were jabbed twice, while 87 per cent had their first dose.

91
No. of those patients who have recovered

167
No. of Omicron cases in Maharashtra