Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said the number of Covid-19 cases had begun declining statewide and predicted that the third wave of the pandemic might get over by the second or third week of March.

He said the state, which was reporting 48,000 cases per day during the third wave which started some weeks ago, was now seeing the tally increase by 15,000 daily, adding that the infection curve was flattening in major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Raigad. Speaking to reporters, the minister said the Centre must start the process of vaccinating children in the 12-15 age segment against Covid-19.