New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Thursday during its weekly press conference expressed concerns over the COVID-19 situation in Maharashtra and said that the reduced testing, tracing and lack of COVID appropriate behaviours have led to the surge in active cases in the state.
“We are very worried about Maharashtra. This is a serious matter. This has two lessons- don’t take the virus for granted and if we have to remain Covid free, then, we need to follow Covid appropriate behaviour,” Member (Health), NITI Aayog Dr VK Paul said.
Echoing a similar remark, ICMR DG Balram Bhargava said that Maharashtra has shown a worrisome trend.
“The mutant strain has not been found incriminating in this surge in cases. It is just related to reduced testing, tracking & tracing and COVID inappropriate behaviour and large congregations,” he said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said strict lockdown measures will be enforced in some parts of the state to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Complete lockdown in Nagpur till March 21
Earlier in the day, a complete lockdown has been announced in the Nagpur city area from March 15 to March 21 in view of the rising infections.
However, essential services such as vegetable and fruit shops and milk booths will stay open. Liquor will be sold online only during the lockdown period.
As per official data, Maharashtra on Thursday recorded 14,317 new coronavirus cases, the highest one-day spike this year, which took the state’s caseload to 22,66,374. There are 1,06,070 active cases in the state.
Meanwhile, the Ministry said the situation in Kerala is improving and informed the active Covid-19 cases have almost halved in the state in the past few days while cases in Maharashtra have doubled.
