COVID-19 third wave peak over in Maharashtra, says Rajesh Tope

Maharashtra Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Saturday said that the peak of the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic is over in the state adding that the hospitalization is low compared to first and second wave. He noted that nearly 95 per cent beds are vacant.

He admitted that the number of COVID-19 patients is increasing in Nashik, Nagpur, Pune and Aurangabad but it is falling in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts. The patients from rural areas recover in a week.

"Peak of the third wave is as COVID-19 cases are reducing in cities like Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar where the situation was worst during the recent wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although in some parts of Maharashtra still, the cases are moving upward," said Tope. ‘’Although the number of patients in urban areas is declining, the number of patients in rural areas is also increasing. However, the growing number of patients is recovering after five to seven days of treatment,’’ he noted.

According to Tope, COVID-19 positive numbers are going down. "The state had recently reported 47,000 positive patients per day which has dipped to around 25,000 per day,’’ he said.

Tope said that the state government is fully prepared to tackle any situation as beds were provided for the patients. ‘’However, 92 to 95 per cent of the beds in the state are still vacant. Less than 1% of patients are on ICI, ventilators or on oxygen. Some infected patients are being treated at home. So, there is no need to worry,’’ he added.

On the new Covid variant, Tope said the WHO is studying it and so far, no patient has been found. ‘’Discussions are currently underway on a new variant. The World Health Organization is conducting research on it. It is learned that the new variant is more dangerous. But the patient of the new variant has not been found anywhere yet. So, there's no need to worry,’’ he noted.