‘Be alert for the next 10-15 days’: Maharashtra health minister ahead of New Year celebrations

Maharashtra recorded 117 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, crossing the 100-mark for the first time in almost seven months. Moreover, one death was reported from Nashik, marking the second consecutive day.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant on Thursday urged citizens to be cautious and vigilant in the next 10 to 15 days, especially as tourist and religious places may become overcrowded due to New Year festivities. The health department has also directed that the number of coronavirus tests should be increased in view of detecting cases caused by the JN.1 subvariant.

“People must strictly follow the rules to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. People are excited to welcome the new year, but large gatherings also increase the chance of spread. Health facilities and people must remain alert for the next 10 to 15 days to contain the spread of the coronavirus infection. Those who are already suffering from illness should avoid such gatherings,” he told PTI.

Maharashtra recorded 117 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, crossing the 100-mark for the first time in almost seven months. Moreover, one death was reported from Nashik, marking the second consecutive day of recording coronavirus-related fatalities in the state.

Covid cases in India

India saw a rise of 702 cases of COVID-19 in a single day, with the number of active cases of the infection rising to 4,097, the Health Ministry said on Thursday. Six new fatalities — two from Maharashtra and one each from Karanataka, Kerala, West Bengal and Delhi — were reported in a span of 24 hours, according to the ministry data updated at 8 am. The country had recorded 752 new cases on December 22.

The number of daily cases had fallen to double digits on December 5, but cases have risen again following the emergence of a new variant and cold weather. The daily figures were in lakhs at the height of the pandemic, which started in early 2020 and has since infected more than 4.5 million people and caused more than 5.3 lakh deaths across the country in about four years.

According to the ministry’s website, the number of people who recovered from the infection stands at over 4.4 crore, with a national recovery rate of 98.81 percent. According to the website, 220.67 crore doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the country so far.

(With PTI inputs)