The COVID-19 situation in Maharashtra is under control and there is no need to panic, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday, following the advice of the Center to monitor and take action to control any emerging spread of the virus.
Further, the minister said that the state government is keeping a close watch on the current situation and it will take the “right decision at the right time” based on the prevailing scenario.
Tope said, “Yesterday, there were 137 cases in Maharashtra including 85 in Mumbai. The state had 60,000 cases in a day earlier. So, the current situation in the state is under control and there is no need to panic.”
“We are monitoring the situation. Cases are increasing in western countries, Europe, China and Delhi to some extent. Central government, ICMR, our task force and health department are keeping a watch. We are definitely looking into it. Will give the right decision at the right time based on the prevailing situation.”
The Minister said that the State Government is strictly following the protocols like testing the close and distant contacts of the COVID-19 infected persons.
While wearing masks is not mandatory in Maharashtra, Tope urged senior citizens and persons with comorbidities to cover their faces in public as a precaution.
He also said that Maharashtra has good vaccination coverage and the state government is encouraging immunization of children in the age group of 12 to 15 and 15 to 18 years.
“We are vaccinating children in the age group of 12-15 years and 15 to 18 years. We are constantly encouraging people to get themselves and their children vaccinated.”
Center wrote letter to five states
hub The government on Tuesday advised Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra and Mizoram to maintain strict vigil and, if necessary, take pre-emptive action in areas of concern to control any emerging spread of coronavirus.
In a letter, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan advised States/UTs to monitor clusters of new COVID-19 cases and take necessary containment efforts.
Further, the Health Ministry informed that there is a need for adequate testing as per the guidelines and take necessary steps in areas reporting high case positivity rate.
Bhushan wrote that cases of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) should be monitored regularly in all health facilities to detect early warning signs of spread of the infection.
He advised to ensure COVID-19 vaccination of eligible population including administration of precautionary doses along with primary vaccination.