Maharashtra on Thursday recorded 9,371 fresh cases, taking the number of active cases to 1,21,767. Besides, 197 COVID-19 deaths were reported in the day, taking the number of total fatalities to 1,19,859.
9,371 patients were discharged in the day, taking the tally to 57,62,661. The recovery rate in the state rose to 95.93%. The case fatality rate in the state is 2%.
Currently, 6,32,453 people are in home quarantine and 4,166 people are in institutional quarantine.
The Mumbai circle--which consists of MCGM, Thane, TMC, Navi Mumbai, KDMC, Ulhasnagar MC, Bhivandi Nijampur MC, Mira Bhayandar MC, Palghar, Vasai Virar MC, Raigad, Panvel MC--recorded 2312 new cases.
The Nashik circle--which consists of Nashik, Nashik MC, Malegaon MC, Ahmednagar, Ahmednagar MC, Dhule, Dhule MC, Jalgaon, Jalgaon MC, Nandurbar--reported 748 fresh COVID-19 cases.
The Pune circle--which includes Pune, PMC, PCMC, Solapur, Solapur MC, Satara--recorded 2465 new cases.
The Kolhapur circle reported 3516 new cases, Aurangabad circle 232, Latur circle 302, Akola circle 168, and Nagpur circle recorded 101 new COVID-19 cases.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has instructed the state health department to make ample preparations for the possible COVID third wave including providing oxygen, ICU beds, field hospital facilities to all the districts.
In a notice issued by the Chief Minister to the health department, Thackeray said that seven districts with a high rate of infection should be more careful, informed the state Public Relations department.
He further directed the health department to increase COVID testing and vaccinations.
"7 districts with a high rate of infection should be more careful. Increase tests, vaccinations. Don't rush, don't take risks," read the notice.
Speaking to the district collectors of Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Hingoli districts, earlier in the day, in a televised meeting, the Chief Minister had said, "The second wave is not over yet and we have to deal with the third possible wave to recover from it." Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope was also present at the meeting.
The tail of the second wave is yet to come. You are not completely out of it," added Thackeray.
(With ANI inputs)