Covid-19: Stable graph in Mumbai, but Maharashtra clocks sharp spike in deaths

Despite a dip in cases, Covid-19 fatalities continue to remain high. Maharashtra reported 54,022 daily detections and 898 fatalities on Friday. Total caseload fell short of the 50-lakh mark by 3,000 cases. Total fatalities rose to 74,413, inching close to the 75,000-mark.

The graph in Mumbai was stable with 3,040 cases and 71 deaths on Friday. The city's tally and toll on Thursday was nearly identical at 3,020 and 69 respectively. “In pandemics, every peak is followed by a drop in cases. Mumbai is at that stage,'' said a BMC official.

Even the Mumbai Metropolitan Region is reporting a dip though in a few pockets cases were on the rise and the local administration had imposed lockdowns. Thane collector on Friday evening imposed additional curbs in Badlapur-Kulgaon municipal council from Saturday till May 14; similar restrictions were imposed in 56 villages in Kalyan Rural May 10 to May 14. All essential shops selling groceries, milk and vegetables will remain closed there. Only exceptions would be medical shops. Home delivery of essentials would be allowed though.

Dr Shashank Joshi, a member of the state task force on Covid-19, said though Mumbai seemed relatively better than the rest of the state and the country, “we are not out of the woods yet.” He said some districts in Maharashtra were struggling as is obvious from the daily tally. “In some districts, people are still not getting beds in hospital,” he said.

He said Maharashtra is likely to witness a “protracted struggle” with Covid-19 for another 2-3 weeks. “Even in Mumbai, critical cases are still high and the daily detections are still higher than during the first wave,” added Dr Joshi.

At the state level, number of deaths being reported, especially from some districts is worrying, said officials. Nashik added 135 deaths on Friday, Beed added 32.