MUMBAI: Daily detections in the state reported a 29% jump in 24 hours and crossed the 10,000 mark on Sunday. The state reported 11,877 cases and nine fatalities.
Mumbai added 7,792 cases, a 26% jump from the previous day. The city reported zero deaths on Sunday.
The total cases in the state rose to 66.99 lakh and the death toll to 1,41,542. Mumbai’s tally rose to 7.98 lakh and the toll to 16,377.
The daily detections in the state have doubled in three days, with Maharashtra reporting 5,368 cases on Thursday. Active cases in the state surged to 42,024.
The daily test positivity rate of Mumbai rose to 17% on Sunday. Active cases as well as hospitalisations saw a significant jump in the city. The city saw 503 hospitalisations, up from 389 on Saturday and 497 on Friday. The 29,819 active cases on Sunday is a 1,300% jump from December 20 (2,061), the day Mumbai started to see the third wave surge.
BMC commissioner I S Chahal said that the city had adequate beds at the moment as 90% of the beds were vacant. Of the 30,565 Covid beds, 3,059 were occupied as on Sunday.
The commissioner said that of the 8,063 new Covid cases detected in the city, 89% were asymptomatic.
“Out of 503 hospitalisations, 56 patients had to be started on oxygen support. He appealed to all the home-quarantined patients to strictly abide by guidelines to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
“There is no reason to panic but all of us have to be extremely cautious and exercise Covid-appropriate behaviour. Masks are mandatory in public domain and citizens should refrain from going to crowded places,” Chahal said.
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said the state was adequately prepared to handle the third wave. “We are ensuring that there is three times the oxygen supply which was required during the peak of the second wave. People have to act responsibly and follow all Covid-19-related protocols,” said Pawar.
Looking at the rapid jump in active cases, experts said that the city cannot afford any complacency. “By January 10th, we are going to witness a massive wave of hospitalisations,” said Dr Rahul Pandit, intensivist and member of the Covid taskforce.
