Covid cases up in Mumbai & Maharashtra, govt focus on 8 districts of concern – Times of India

MUMBAI: The daily Covid case tally increased in both the city and the state on Wednesday even as the state government decided to focus on eight districts where the test positivity rate is higher than the state average of 4.5%.
CM Uddhav Thackeray chaired two meetings, speaking to district collectors as well as task force members regarding preparedness for the third wave and possible steps to bring down cases in Kolhapur, Pune rural, Sangli, Satara, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Raigad and Palghar.
“We need better contact tracing, tighter curbs and containment policies in these districts,” said Dr Shashank Joshi, member of the Covid task force. “Although these areas have special vaccination drives, cases are not dropping.”
The state reported 9,558 cases and 147 deaths, taking the total caseload to 61.2 lakh and, with the addition of 179 old deaths, the toll to 1,23,857.
Regarding Mumbai, where cases (662) rose after two days of being under 500, Joshi said the “thick tail” is a worry. “The second wave continues actively in the state, including Mumbai. Failure to adhere to Covid-appropriate norms could see a spike in cases in the second wave itself,” he added. Nine deaths were registered in Mumbai on Wednesday, the lowest in 16 days.
Thackeray said though the second wave has not completely ebbed, the state has taken a calculated risk in opening up businesses and districts should ensure restrictions are implemented to stop a surge in cases.