Maharashtra records over 8,000 fresh Covid-19 cases again, 1,035 cases in Mumbai – Hindustan Times

For the third consecutive day on Friday, Maharashtra recorded over 8,000 fresh Covid-19 infections in the last 24 hours, the highest in the country. With 8,333 new cases, the number of total cases in the state stood at 2,138,154. Out of these fresh cases, Mumbai reported 1,035 Covid-19 infections on Friday. Though the number of fresh infections reported on Friday recorded a slight dip from Thursday’s numbers, the overall Covid-19 situation remains severe in the state.

On Thursday, 8,702 new Covid-19 cases were reported all across the state and Mumbai city alone witnessed 1,145 cases.

A total of 48 deaths have been reported in the state, including three from Mumbai.

On Friday, four cities — Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Amaravati — together accounted for 3,401 or 40 per cent of the new cases. Nagpur district recorded 1,074 new cases of coronavirus and six casualties due to the infection

Akola/Amravati division in Vidarbha reported 1,601 new cases.

229 students at Maharashtra school test positive for Covid-19

Since the second week of February, the state is reporting an uptick in the number of daily infections, with mutant strains being reported from districts like Amravati. Restrictions have been imposed in the districts while surveillance has been strengthened in Mumbai. Districts including Satara, Nagpur, Pune, Jalna, Latur have imposed restrictions. Amravati is under a week-long lockdown and a 10-day lockdown till February 28 is going on in Yavatmal.

Other districts of Maharashtra have imposed travel restriction from the Vidarbha region in an attempt to contain the spike. Schools, colleges, temples have been shut in many areas. Political, cultural gatherings have been banned in the entire state from February 22.

Amid speculations of lockdown, Maharashtra minister Vijay Waddettiwar has reportedly told local media that a complete, statewide lockdown will not be imposed in Maharashtra but additional restrictions like curtailing Mumbai local services for the general public, may be imposed.