Mumbai: Amid rising COVID-19 cases, CM Uddhav Thackeray urges people to wear masks

People will have to again get used to wearing masks. Amid rising COVID 19 cases, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday urged people to use masks and take all necessary precautions. This is important as the state government in the wake of dip in COVID 19 cases had said use of masks is not mandatory but voluntary.

Thackeray, who chaired the state cabinet meeting, claimed that the pandemic is far from over and people should not remain complacent.

Thackeray said even though the number of COVID 19 patients in hospitals is less as there is only one on ventilator and 18 on oxygen support. CM said against the weekly positivity rate of 1.59%, the positivity rate in Mumbai is higher at 3.17% while Pune's rate is 2.16%. There has been a record 52.79% rise in COVID 19 patients in Mumbai, 27.92% in Thane, 18.52% in Raigad and 68.75% in Palghar district.

According to the public health department, in all 2276 COVID 19 new patients were reported between May 19 and 25 in Maharashtra of which as high s 2,171 were in Mumbai (1531), Pune (297), Thane (252), Raigad (64) and Palghar (27). The balance 105 patients were reported in the remaining districts.

CM also expressed concern over the slow pace of vaccination and directed the administration to increase it across the state. On May 25, COVID 19 vaccination was 53636 in 6757 sessions. As on date 165613544 eligible beneficiaries have been vaccinated.