PUNE: The state’s task force on Monday called for exercising caution ahead of festivities, especially in districts of concern, and follow the Covid-19 protocols strictly.
State task force member Dr Shashank Joshi said the ball was in people’s court now. “Following Covid protocols is the only way to curb the spread of the virus. If people don’t mask themselves and don’t avoid crowd ahead of festivities, we can expect the third wave sooner,” he told TOI.
The health authorities highlighted the rise in Covid-19 patients in Maharashtra’s “districts of concern” over the past 10 days and expressed fear about the possible third wave beginning from these areas.
Of the state’s 52,025 active patients, as many as 37,897 (72.84%) are from five districts — Pune, Thane, Satara, Ahmednagar and Mumbai, said additional chief secretary Dr Pradip Vyas in a presentation for family doctors on Sunday. The presentation stated that there had not been any decline in cases in the past 10 days, while the number of active cases increased slightly during this period.
He said the spill over of the second wave was continuing or it was not over yet, and the state was on the threshold of the third wave. “It is up to people to act responsibly and ensure that the wave is nipped in the bud. Districts of concern should be on caution and follow all Covid protocols,” Dr Joshi said.
He said the C 1.2 variant found in South Africa had been seen in just seven countries and the number of cases of the variant was not more than 100.
Of the 44, 437 Covid patients reported in the past 10 days, 68% (30,313 patients) are from five districts — Pune (22%), Ahmednagar (17%), Satara (11%), Solapur and Mumbai (9% each).
“The growth rate and weekly positivity rate in these districts are too high. With the Ganesh festival beginning from Friday, there are chances of cases rising there. The administration needs to take utmost care in these districts,” a senior health official said.
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