On a day Maharashtra reported 47,827 new Covid-19 instances, the very best because the pandemic started final 12 months, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday stopped in need of saying a lockdown, however warned that the choice could must be taken after two days following consultations with specialists and political leaders.
The whole caseload of the state now stands at 29.04 lakh, of which 3.89 lakh are lively instances. Active instances have practically tripled from 1.3 lakh on March 15.
With 202 sufferers dying on Friday, the state’s case fatality ratio has reached 1.91 per cent.
Mumbai additionally recorded its highest variety of instances because the pandemic started, reporting 8,884 instances on Friday, taking town’s caseload to 4.32 lakh. Among these, 57,687 are lively instances.
Swab testing by well being staff at Juhu seashore in Mumbai. (Express picture by Amit Chakravarty)
In a public deal with streamed reside on social media, Thackeray warned that if the variety of instances continued to rise on the present charge, the state would fall in need of medical personnel even when well being infrastructure could possibly be expanded.
He mentioned that restrictions must be imposed to stop crowding. He attacked political opponents for threatening protests towards lockdown, saying they need to be serving to the administration sort out the disaster as an alternative.
“Today, I am warning about complete lockdown but not announcing it. I will speak to experts and political leaders in the next two days. If there is no other option to a lockdown, we will have to accept it,” Thackeray mentioned.
He added that the query earlier than the federal government was the way to break the chain of an infection.
“Some strict restrictions will have to be imposed in the coming days. In cities, we will need to avoid unnecessary crowding. In Mumbai, there is crowding during peak and non-peak hours in trains. There is crowding in restaurants and in other places as well.”
A well being employee collects swab pattern of holiday makers to check for Covid-19 on the Gateway of India in Mumbai.
Thackeray additionally attacked political events and an industrialist – he didn’t identify anybody – who has spoken towards the lockdown in the previous couple of days and urged that as an alternative, the federal government ought to improve well being infrastructure.
“Those saying they will take to the streets must come out on the streets. But they should do so not against the lockdown but to avoid the lockdown, to help the doctors, to support the families who have lost their breadwinner, to serve the infected and to help the administration that is fighting against the virus,” he mentioned.
Stating that he’ll improve well being infrastructure, the CM requested his critics to make preparations for 50 medical doctors and nurses every day. “I urge all political leaders not to play politics with the lives of the people. The government is taking initiatives for the safety of the people, to restart economic activities and save jobs. But at the same time, we need to save lives,” he mentioned whereas searching for cooperation from political leaders and leaders of spiritual communities.
Giving particulars of the well being infrastructure within the state, Thackeray mentioned that there are 2.2 lakh isolation beds, of which 62 per cent are full; 20,519 ICU beds, of which 48 per cent are occupied; 62,000 oxygen beds, of which 25 per cent are full and of the 9,347 ventilators, 25 per cent are in use.
“This situation is very worrying. If the situation remains the same, there will be a shortage of health infrastructure in the next 15 to 20 days. I have given orders to upgrade health infrastructure wherever required. We will be able to increase the number of beds, ventilators and others. But how can we increase the number of doctors, nurses and health workers?” he requested.
“Yesterday, we vaccinated three lakh people and till Thursday, 65 lakh people have been vaccinated. We have the capacity to vaccinate 6 lakh to 7 lakh people daily. It will be done when the supply of vaccine is increased,” he added.
Thackeray additional mentioned that the federal government isn’t hiding a single Covid-19 case. “Even if the situation in Maharashtra is shocking, we are putting the truth before the people. Some people tell me to look at other states… elections were held in Bihar and are going on in West Bengal, but there is no rise in cases. I don’t want to talk about it. I love my Maharashtra and its people,” he mentioned, including that he’s able to be labelled a “villain” for folks’s security.
While speaking concerning the measures taken within the US and UK, Thackeray additionally mentioned that France, Belgium, Ireland and others have gone for lockdown to interrupt the chain.
