Maharashtra Health Minister, Rajesh Tope whilst ruling out the possibility of a lockdown remarked that so far there hasn't been any discussion on a lockdown but highlighted the need for additional restrictions, reports stated.
According to Tope, on Friday, state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray conducted a two-hour meeting with the state and the health department. With the presence of the COVID-19 task force, no discussion was undertaken for a lockdown. Based on reports, Tope elaborated on how infections are doubling every two days.
He added that the positivity rate in areas such as Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik and Raigad is high. With Mumbai's weekly positivity rate being 5 per cent, now daily it is 8-11 per cent.
In order to see to it that transmissions do not rise, the government decided to impose restrictions from December 31 onwards which according to him need to be strictly implemented.
Several reports have quoted him elaborating on how when infections and bed occupancy rises considerably and oxygen consumption in hospitals breaches 700 metric tonnes per day, that day in auto-mode the authority will go in for a lockdown. While he agrees that cases are rising daily he appealed to the media to not insinuate lockdown anxiety. Similarly, he emphasized the need for restrictions to hinder transmission.
Tope added that the government is curating a strategy to increase vaccination, highlighting that whilst restrictions had been imposed, restaurants, theatres and educational establishments weren't touched by the government. Further elucidating he said that there is a need for every district to have a genome sequencing lab.
Also Read: Omicron Scare: Maharashtra Crosses 500 Mark With Addition Of 50 Infections
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