Situation in Maharashtra a matter of concern: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra rise to 15,525, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan is likely to hold a meeting with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to discuss a plan of action to contain the spread of the coronavirus. 

In a statement, Dr Harsh Vardhan has expressed concern for the rising cases for the coronavirus in Maharashtra. The Health Minister informed that 34 districts out of 36 in the state are affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Since the inception of the coronavirus outbreak in India, Maharashtra has been the worst-hit state across the country. As of May 5, the number of cases in the state has risen to 15,525 while the death toll in Maharashtra has touched 617. Of these,  nearly 9,945 COVID-19 cases have been reported from Mumbai alone. 

In the biggest one-day spike, Maharashtra reported nearly 986 coronavirus cases on May 5 while India reported a spike of almost 2,900 COVID-19 cases taking the country’s toll to 49,436. According to the data provided by the Union Health Ministry, 126 more people lost their lives taking the death toll in the country to 1,695. 

“The situation in Maharashtra is certainly a matter of concern right now as 34 out of 36 districts are affected by COVID-19. I will hold a meeting with Chief Minister as well to discuss further course of action to control the spread of the virus in the state,” Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said. 

Earlier, India allowed the liquor shops to be open which led to a huge crowd menace. As this happened, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi ordered the liquor shops in Mumbai to shut down again. 

Due to the gathering of large crowds outside liquor shops in parts of the city, the BMC Commissioner rolled back the order allowing liquor sale and announced the closure of all non-essential shops in Mumbai. 

The Maharashtra government on Sunday allowed the liquor shops to open, even in red zones which led to people queuing up outside liquor stores in huge numbers. This comes after India has entered the Lockdown 3.0 announced by the centre in the wake of increasing cases of the COVID-19. 

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