Maharashtra Helath Department also pointed out that the XBB variant of Covid-19 reported in the state had "growth advantage over BA.2.75 and immune evasive property".
Maharashtra on Wednesday recorded 1,081 cases of the infection, the highest daily rise after 24 February, which took the overall tally to 78,88,167, while the death toll is 1,47,860
Expressing concern over the rise in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, state Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar today said the use of face masks will have to be made mandatory if the spike continues.
Shiv Sena politician Sanjay Raut
MUMBAI: Travel to the state from outside is behind the spike in Covid-19 cases here, said Shiv Sena politician Sanjay Raut on Tuesday. He said the MVA government here was taking several measures to stem the spread of the virus but other states had failed to take proper steps to control Covid-19 and people coming from there were bringing it with them.
Raut pointed to crowding at the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar and the participation of lakhs in poll rallies in West Bengal.
“Compared to those states, more measures have been taken by the state and rules are followed by the people in Maharashtra,” he said. “The government and administration are trying to control the situation here and Maharashtra’s health-care system is the best in the country. CM Uddhav Thackeray has put restrictions even on Gudi Padwa celebrations. Other states should put some restrictions for a month or two.”
However, since then, cases have surged unabated with several states now imposing fresh curbs and restrictions on business activity and mobility. But, perhaps, the key reason for the slump in markets is due to the worsening situation in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra, responsible for 14.5 per cent of the nation s GDP, and home to India s financial capital, Mumbai, is largely fuelling the COVID-19 surge witnessed across the nation. The last 24-hour period saw the state record over 63,000 new cases – the largest single-day spike since the onset of the pandemic. Having already instituted a number of containment measures, state authorities are now, reportedly, considering implementing a full lockdown – something that has investors on tenterhooks.