A healthcare worker takes samples during the Covid-19 pandemic in Mankhud, Mumbai on July 29, 2020. (Express Photo: Amit Chakravarty)
Maharashtra, Mumbai, Thane Coronavirus Live Updates: On the day Maharashtra reported over 4 lakh cases of the novel coronavirus, the state government Wednesday extended the lockdown till August 31. Chief Secretary Sanjay Kumar said the state remains “threatened with the spread of Covid-19”, adding that restrictions would be eased in a “phase wise manner with SOPs”.
Maharashtra reported 9,211 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, taking its tally to 4,00,651. With 298 deaths, the toll in the state rose to 14,463. There are 1.46,129 people being treated for the disease. More than 20 lakh people have been tested so far.
Mumbai reported 1,109 cases on the same day, taking its total to 1,11,991. The city registered 60 deaths, taking the toll to 6,247.
Under the new guidelines announced by the state, malls and market complexes will be allowed to function from 9 am to 7 pm. However, theatres, food courts and restaurants will remain closed. Further, the night curfew will remain in place in the state despite the Centre doing away with it.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, at the weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday, told ministers he preferred a “gradual and calibrated” process of reopening. Thackery will travel to Pune from Mumbai on Thursday to take stock of the situation in the district. This will be his first visit to the city since the outbreak was reported in March.
Maharashtra, Mumbai, Pune Coronavirus Live Updates: At a Covid-19 testing center in Mankhurd on Tuesday. (Express Photo: Amit Chakravarty)
A serological survey conducted on 6,936 people in three wards Mumbai found 40.5 per cent of them were exposed to SARS-CoV-2, a virus that causes Covid-19, and had developed IgG antibodies against it. The study was conducted in three wards of 8,800 people: Matunga (F-North ward) that had the highest growth rate and caseload, and proximity to Dharavi, the city’s biggest slum that had become a hotspot in April. It also selected Chembur (M-West ward) for medium growth rate in Covid-19 cases and Dahisar (R-north) that had the lowest growth rate in the city. Eventually, 6,936 people agreed to give their samples — 4,234 from slums and 2,702 from non-slums. Tabassum Barnagarwala explains the findings
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has revised the protocol to seal buildings where one or more residents are detected with Covid-19. As per the amended protocol, the civic body will now seal a building completely only if more than three positive cases were reported.
“If three or more Covid-19 cases are reported from a building, then the civic body will seal a building completely. If fewer than three cases are reported, then civic officials will only seal a particular floor of the building and no restriction will be imposed on the movement of other residents,” a senior official from R South ward said. Read Laxman Singh's report
Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday detected more than 10,000 new cases of the novel coronavirus. This was the first time since mid-March that any state reported more cases than Maharashtra on any day. Maharashtra found 9,211 new cases on Wednesday. This was also only the second time that any state had reported more than 10,000 positive cases in a single day. On July 22, Maharashtra had detected over 10,500 new cases. Amitabh Sinha explains the numbers
A 42-year-old was arrested in Mumbai on Wednesday for selling low-quality face masks as N95 ones. The Mumbai Crime Branch seized masks worth Rs 29 lakh from Safdar Momin. Assistant Police Inspector, Mumbai crime branch (Unit III) Nitin Patil said they received a tip-off that Momin, who runs a textile business in Bhiwandi, had been selling low-quality masks to a godown in Lower Parel. The accused had claimed that the masks had been produced by Venus company – the company produces high-quality masks that are used by hospitals. Read more here
Maharashtra reported 9,211 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, taking its tally to 4,00,651. With 298 deaths, the toll in the state rose to 14,463. There are 1.46,129 people being treated for the disease. More than 20 lakh people have been tested so far. Mumbai, meanwhile, reported 1,109 cases on the same day, taking its total to 1,11,991. The city registered 60 deaths, taking the toll to 6,247.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will Thursday visit Pune to take stock of the coronavirus situation in the district, officials said. This will be Thackeray's first visit to Pune ever since the outbreak of the disease. "The Chief Minister will visit Pune and take a review of the district's Covid-19 response," an official from the district administration said. Pune has reported over 74,000 cases and 1,792 deaths.
Welcome to our live blog of the coronavirus outbreak in Maharashtra. The state on Wednesday extended the lockdown imposed to control the spread of the infection till August 31. The government said the state remains “threatened with the spread of Covid-19”. Follow our live blog for the latest news and updates from the Mumbai, Pune, Thane and other cities.