Mumbai, May 24, 2020: Maharashtra, the worst coronavirus-hit state in India, reported its highest single-day spike of 3,041 cases on May 24, taking the total past the 50,000-mark, government data said.
Mumbai reported 1,725 new cases and 38 deaths in 24 hours which took its aggregate to 30,542, including 988 deaths.
With 58 deaths reported on May 24, the total of deaths in Maharashtra rose to 1,635 cases.
“There were 58 Covid-related deaths in the state today. Out of these, 39 deaths were recorded in Mumbai, six in Pune, six in Solapur, four in Aurangabad city, one was recorded in Latur, and one each in Mira-Bhayandar and Thane,” a state government statement read.
Out of the total deaths reported today, 38 occurred in the last 24 hours and rest were unreported deaths that took place between April 23 and May 20.
This was the eighth consecutive day when the state reported more than 2,000 new coronavirus cases.
With 14,600 recoveries, the state has 33,988 active cases. 362,862 people have been tested so far.
Currently, 499,387 people are in home quarantine and 35,107 people are in institutional quarantine, the statement said.
Maharashtra, which has been unwilling to reopen its airports for passenger flights because of the rising number of cases, today made a U-turn, deciding to allow 25 flights to and from Mumbai tomorrow.
The fresh decision was announced by state minister Nawab Malik barely a couple of hours after Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray indicated that the state was not ready for such a move yet.
Earlier, Thackeray said the state government is anticipating more cases in the coming weeks.
“A lot of movement of people is expected, anticipating more cases as well. So, things can open up only gradually. We won’t lift lockdown now. We can’t say that lockdown will be over by May 31… Need to be extra cautious during monsoon,” he said.
India has reported 131,868 coronavirus cases, including 3,867 deaths.
Source: ndtv.com