Maharashtra sees dip in active cases, records 5,225 new cases

At 57,579 cases, Maharashtra recorded a dip in the number of active cases on Thursday

At 57,579 cases, Maharashtra recorded a dip in the number of active cases on Thursday.

A BMC health worker collects swab samples for Covid-19 test of passengers arriving from outstation trains, at Dadar. (HT PHOTO)

On Wednesday, the state reported 58,069 active cases, which were fewer compared to 62,069 on Tuesday. However, Pune continues to lead the number of active cases with 12,917 patients, followed by Thane with 7,020 and Satara with 6,792 active patients.

Maharashtra on Thursday recorded 5,225 Covid-19 new cases and 154 deaths. The state Covid tally now stands at 6,411,570, while the toll has reached 135,567.

State surveillance officer Dr Pradeep Awate said the decreasing numbers indicated the decline of the virus. “Active cases are an indicator of the spread of the virus and these figures indicate that we have effectively contained the virus,” said Dr Awate.

The peak of the virus saw active cases climb to over 600,000.

Dr Wiqar Shaikh, professor of medicine, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Hospital said though active cases have declined, the current situation has still not stabilised. “The manner in which people are getting infected by Delta Plus variant indicates that the third wave is inevitable,” said Dr Shaikh.

“People are not observing Covid-appropriate behaviour. Many are roaming without masks, not maintaining social distancing as well as taking part in mass gatherings. This needs to be cracked down by the authorities,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mumbai recorded 282 new cases with five deaths.

There were 225,870 tests done on Thursday across the state, while the number of recoveries clocked 5,557. Pune tops the death toll with 18,804 deaths, followed by Mumbai with 15,935 and Thane with 11,226 deaths.