‘Covid-19 surge in China not a cause for concern in Maha’
Mumbai: Maharashtra recorded 157 Covid-19 new cases on Monday
Mumbai: Maharashtra recorded 157 Covid-19 new cases on Monday. The state authorities have said that there is no cause for concern despite the resurgence of the virus in neighbouring China. Their contention: China is facing the brunt of the Omicron variant, which has already caused a surge in India in recent months.
“There is no need to worry as China is witnessing a surge due to the Omicron variant which we have already tackled successfully,” said state surveillance officer Dr Pradeep Awate. He said that initially, the variant surfaced in Africa and later spread to India.
“It had resulted in a large number of cases recently and in Maharashtra, we initiated several steps due to which we were able to contain the infection,” he added.
The omicron variant has now spread its wings in China. Several north-eastern cities in China have been locked down to contain the Covid surge, the biggest in two years.
Health experts have, however, warned citizens to exercise caution. Dr Wiqar Shaikh, professor of medicine, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Hospital, warns that the situation in China is a “warning”.
“We need to be very cautious and not let our guard down. The government needs to enforce masks and social distancing along with stress on Covid-19 appropriate behaviour,” said Dr Shaikh.
The total number of Covid-19 patients in the state has now reached 78,71,359. The state recorded a positivity rate of 0.41 percent as 157 cases were recorded of the total 37,492 tests done.
Meanwhile, Mumbai recorded 27 new cases with zero deaths with its fatalities toll at 16,692.
Maharashtra presently has 2,382 active patients with Pune leading at 1,042, followed by Mumbai and Ahmednagar with 334 and 217 cases, respectively.
The death toll has now reached 1,43,753 with Pune leading with 20,159 deaths, followed by Mumbai with 16,692 and Thane with 11,868.