MUMBAI: Daily Covid cases in the city shot up by 131 cases in one day to breach the 500-mark and stand at 525 on Wednesday, the highest in 14 days. The city recorded six deaths.
“This could be the Wednesday effect as we have noticed that cases are highest on this day as compared to the other weekdays,” said a BMC official. The last time daily cases were over 500 was on September 15 (515), a Wednesday, and 525 on September 8, again a Wednesday, which is colloquially called ‘hump day’.
Maharashtra reported 3,187 cases, a slight rise from Tuesday’s 2,844, and 49 deaths.
The daily test positivity rate in the city has crept up: from 1.1% on September 25 to 1.4% on Wednesday. “Although daily cases are fluctuating around 500, the overall situation is in control, especially if you consider it is over 40 days since we eased restrictions,” said BMC additional commissioner Suresh Kakani.
He added that new jumbos hospitals are being added in Mumbai so that 2,000 new patients can be admitted daily.
Close to 18 districts in the state continue to have less than 100 active cases. “Although the preparation to handle a third wave is underway, it may not be as severe as the second wave,” said a senior official.
