Covid-19: Maharashtra reports a whopping 18,466 new cases

Mumbai Mayor hints at lockdown if daily case surge exceeds 20,000

A police officer patrols on Segway along the promenade at Marine Drive, during restrictions to limit public gatherings amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Mumbai

Maharashtra’s active COVID-19 cases crossed the 65,000-mark on Tuesday with the State recording a whopping 18,466 infections to take the active case tally to 66,308.

While 20 fatalities pushed the cumulative toll to 1,41,573, 4,558 recoveries were reported in the last 24 hours.

With 75 new infections — 40 from Mumbai alone — the Omicron tally stood at 653 of whom 259 have been discharged till now.

In a new single-day high, Mumbai recorded 10,606 COVID-19 cases, taking the city’s active case tally to 47,476. Two deaths took the fatalities to 16,381.

With the city recording the highest cases in the State and the country, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar hinted at the possibility of a lockdown if the daily surge crossed the 20,000-mark.

Ms. Pednekar said the city was ready to face even a “tsunami” of coronavirus cases and liquid oxygen plants, oxygen beds and jumbo care centres were ready.

Pune district reported more than 1,450 cases — of which more than 1,100 were from Pune city alone — and six deaths. The district has nearly 5,000 active cases.

Following the sharp rise, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said there would be no physical sessions for students of classes 1 to 8 for the remainder of January.

Mr. Pawar, who held a review meet with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) leaders and authorities, said the civic body would henceforth start penalising people with a fine of ₹500 for not wearing a mask and ₹1,000 for spitting in a public place.

The State’s recovery rate dipped incrementally to 96.86%, said the authorities. The positivity rate stands at 9.68% and the recoveries at 65,18,916.

Revised rules for international passengers

In view of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday night issued revised rules for international passengers coming to the airport.

All of them will need to undergo the rapid RTPCR test. If positive, normal RTPCR test will be conducted for confirmation.

If the test is negative, the passenger will be allowed to go for home quarantine for seven days. In case of positive symptomatic patient, he/she will be admitted to Seven Hills hospital, Bombay hospital or Breach Candy hospital.

If the patient is asymptomatic, then the civic body’s BKC or Kanjur Marg jumbo COVID-19 centre or private hotel designated for quarantine can be chosen.