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

Maharashtra Health minister Rajesh Tope has expressed concern over Mumbairsquos 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 crowdingThis week the cases in the city rose from 490 to 2200 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 2201 on March 17Mumbaikars most without masks throng the Poisar weekly bazaar at Kandivli on Wednesday PicSatej ShindeTope said on Wednesday that Mumbairsquos 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 isnrsquot 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 placestransport and establishmentslsquoSevenfold rise in casesrsquoOver 90 per cent of the cases currently are from highrises 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 patientsA passenger is tested at LTT on Wednesday PicSayyed Sameer AbedildquoThe 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 increasedrdquo said an official from the BMCIn similar conditions during the onset of the second wave in February the rate of increase wasnrsquot 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 1500 mark only after March 10 On March 17 the city registered 2377 new patients and on March 24 they doubled to 5185 On April 4 the city registered the highest daily cases in the second wave mdash 11163ldquoThere has been a sevenfold 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 statersquos overall daily number has doubled in eight days and we are having 2000 cases dailyrdquo Tope told media personsOf 167 Omicron cases in Maharashtra 91 have recovered ldquoNo death by Omicron has been reported and there have been no serious complications The patients did not have to be put on oxygenrdquo said the minister while dispelling the unwarranted fear of the new Coronavirus variantHe 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 ldquoAs of now the ICMR guidelines are being followed strictly by usrdquo he addedFocus on crowdingAccording 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 homeThe government needs to prioritise vaccinating people as the state has a target of fully vaccinating 925 crore people As of Tuesday 57 per cent were jabbed twice while 87 per cent had their first dose91No of those patients who have recovered167No of Omicron cases in Maharashtra