Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has said that the stringent curbs imposed by the state government may be extended beyond May 15 to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra as on daily bases cases are still reported above 50,000. Over three weeks have passed since the Maharashtra government imposed strict restrictions to check the spread of coronavirus but the daily average of cases is still over 50,000 which is a matter of concern.
COVID-19 cases have dipped in 12 out of the total 36 districts in Maharashtra, but in some other districts, the cases are on a higher side. The lockdown-like curbs announced by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray came into effect on April 14 that included the ban on inter-city as well as inter-district travel and the closure of non-essential services in the state.
These measures, including the weekend restrictions on the movement of people, were later extended till May 15. The state government had allowed groceries, vegetable shops and dairies to remain open only for four hours, between 7 am and 11 am from Monday to Friday and banned home delivery after 8 pm till May 1.
On May 7, On Friday, the state recorded 54,022 new cases, taking the number of active cases to 6,54,788. Besides, 898 COVID-19 fatalities were registered in the day, taking the death toll to 74,413.
As of today, Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally stood at 49,96,758 while the overall death toll is 74,413. The state had tested 2,89,30,580 samples so far, the health department had said. Meanwhile, in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive, the state on May 8 crossed the 1.76 crore mark.
As per the data released by the health ministry, Maharashtra, as of 7 am on May 8, inoculated 1,76,17,719 people.
On May 7, Maharashtra vaccinated 3,63,765 beneficiaries.
