Mumbai: While the number of COVID-19 cases in India continues to rise, Maharashtra continues to be the worst-affected state in the country. Mumbai is also one of the heavily affected cities in the country. 

But according to reports, Mumbai's contribution to COVID-19 tests has seen a steady decline. Considering the 44 per cent share of the city for testing on May 31, the city's shares in corona testing has dropped to 35 per cent on June 30. The stagnation of tests is also being blamed for the flattening of the number of cases in the city.

According to a senior official who was quoted by TOI, the reason behind the stabilizing cases in Mumbai could be the decreased number of testing. Mumbai had 59 per cent of total Maharashtra cases by May end, which has gone down to 44 per cent in June. 

"Initially testing facilities were concentrated in Mumbai and Pune. But now the state has added testing facilities in most districts," the senior official told TOI. 

According to recent records, Vasai-Virar corporation performs 1200-1400 cases on a daily basis. Previously they only performed 300-400 cases. Testing has also considerably increased in Kolhapur, Dhule and Aurangabad. 

"The increase in testing is also reflecting on the higher positivity rate in these cities. Mumbai continues to have a stagnant positivity of 25 per cent." another official was quoted saying. 

Commenting on the testing status of Maharashtra, former CM Devendra Fadnavis claimed that the state had been testing less and only 50 per cent of the testing capacity was being utilised resulting in a low number of cases. He had also commented on the low number of cases in Mumbai. 

Currently, the country's average testing rate stands at 6,334 but the average for Maharashtra state stands at 7,715. 

“Mumbai, by now, should have escalated to 25,000-30,000 test per day, but has instead kept it to under 5,000 samples," a senior official of the health department was quoted saying. 

Giving insights about the previous months, BMC additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani explained that the testing capacity in the city was developed over time and there was a gradual increase in the number of tests conducted. “And now with the antigen kits, we plan to increase daily testing by a minimum of 2,000,” he added.