Maharashtra: 95% hosp beds vacant despite high Covid positivity rate, says min
PremiumThe central govt during the day classified Maharashtra as a ‘state of concern’
Although districts in Maharashtra are recording a high Covid-19 positivity rate, the hospitalisation rate is continuing to remain in control, said state health minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday.
“The positivity rate in Maharashtra is 23.5%. Districts like Raigad, Pune, Nashik, Nanded have a much higher positive rate. Despite this, the hospitalisation rate is very less and 95% of the beds in the state are vacant," Tope was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had also on Wednesday had also said that the current Covid-19 situation in Mumbai is “under control" and there is no reason for citizens to panic.
This is because as per the data available till 15 January, there were 84,352 active cases in the city, of which 7% of patients needed hospitalisation, 3% needed oxygen support and 0.7% required ventilator support.
"We have adequate oxygen supply; hospital beds are available. There is no reason for any panic," the BMC said.
This comes days after the central government also stated that the rate of hospitalisation in the current surge is lower than the second wave.
According to Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, only 5% to 10% of active Covid-19 cases needed hospitalisation in the third wave, but he added the situation is dynamic and the number of hospitalisation might spike up.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also warned that the increased and rapid spread of the Omicron variant, combined with greater social mixing and challenges with adherence to public health and social measures are expected to lead to a spike in cases, hospitalisations and deaths in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Thursday reported 46,197 new Covid-19 cases, up from 43,697 recorded the previous day, according to the state health department. Of the total, 125 patients are those who have contracted the new Omicron coronavirus variant.
In addition to this, 37 more people succumbed to the disease.
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