Second Covid wave in check, but not over: Maharashtra CM appeals for caution

The state on Wednesday witnessed 5,132 fresh cases and 158 deaths. In a release post the meeting of the state Cabinet, the government said the average weekly positivity rate has now dropped to 2.4 %

The second Covid-19 wave in Maharashtra is under control for now, claimed the state government on Wednesday, even as chief minister Uddhav Thackeray appealed to citizens to adopt Covid-19-appropriate behaviour to prevent a third wave, especially during the upcoming festive season. Thackeray cautioned that the second wave is not over yet.

An advertisement outside Wockhardt Hospital displays the three Covid-19 vaccines available, in Mumbai on July 15. (HT file photo)

The state on Wednesday witnessed 5,132 fresh cases and 158 deaths. In a release post the meeting of the state Cabinet, the government said the average weekly positivity rate has now dropped to 2.4 %. In addition, it reported that of its 36 districts, zero patients were reported in Nandurbar district, less than 10 patients in six districts and less than 100 in eight districts. The state government also said that about 50% citizens above 45 have been given at least one dose of the vaccine, while in the 18-45 age group, it is 25%. Overall, over 50 million citizens have been given one dose, while 13,307,000 were fully vaccinated, as of Wednesday.

State surveillance officer Dr Pradeep Awate said the figures indicated the declining trend. “When positivity rate dips below 5%, it indicates that the virus has been controlled,” said Dr Awate. “The authorities apart from their standard practices of testing, contact tracing and medication also took into account the local factors to combat the virus,” he added. Positivity rate is the percentage of people testing positive out of total tests conducted for an infection.