Maharashtra on Sunday recorded more than 4,000 Covid-19 cases after a 39-day interval, while Mumbai reported more than 600 cases after exactly one month. As the number of cases has been on an upward trajectory over the past four to five days, health experts have sounded an alarm that the administration will have to increase follow-up and testing, while people will have to strictly adhere to appropriate Covid behavior. They also suggested that areas where cases have seen a spike should be put on “red alert.”
Maharashtra recorded 4,092 Covid-19 infections on Sunday, more than 4,000 for the first time since January 6, bringing its count to 2,064,278. Mumbai, meanwhile, reported more than 600 cases after 31 days with 645 fresh infections. The city last saw more than 600 cases in one day on January 14.
Health experts, who are also part of state government panels and working groups, have attributed the increase in cases to increased movement of people after the resumption of activities and the operation of trains in Mumbai and the Region. Mumbai Metropolitan (MMR), already fatigued by Covid in wearing masks and disinfecting.
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Dr Shashank Joshi, a member of the state Covid task force, said: “Kerala and Maharashtra are outliers. And the increase in cases has coincided with three things: total unblocking, gram panchayat elections and a certain degree of reopening of schools and universities. All these three things play an important role. In geographies like Mumbai, MMR, the population on trains is increasing. These are the reasons for the increase in cases and must be urgently examined. “
Dr. Joshi added that footfalls on Mumbai trains have risen from 2 million to 3.4 million after the general public was allowed to use the trains since February 1. “We definitely must remain vigilant and avoid complacency,” he said.
For Mumbai, Dr. Joshi said that the population that until now was not exposed to the virus could be affected. He suggested that the areas should be reviewed and put on a “red alert.” “Covid will become endemic in Mumbai. We will usually see cases between 400 and 600 a day. But it shouldn’t increase dramatically. The exposed population might have herd immunity, but the unexposed population is getting hurt now. For example, children who never went out before now go to school. We could see an outbreak in these cases. We need to increase testing, follow-up and isolation, ”said Dr. Joshi.
Meanwhile, Dr. Subhash Salunkhe, a state government adviser on Covid-19 and a former director general of health services, said he was “warning” of a possible increase in daily cases. He painted a grim picture saying that Mumbai, which was a Covid-19 hotspot, could be in more “trouble” with increasing train traffic.
“Mumbai could have problems with the start of local trains and the increased flow of people from its surroundings. The numbers were expected to rise as people lax on appropriate Covid behavior. We are seeing a similar increase in Pune and people are behaving as if the pandemic has passed, “said Salunkhe.
He added that the vaccination campaign is progressing slowly and that it will take time for herd immunity to develop after inoculation. He said: “Vaccination is proceeding at a slow pace. Vaccination of the general public (over 50 and with comorbidities) will begin only next month. Until that period, at least, people must remain vigilant. “
