Maharashtra recorded the highest-ever 298 coronavirus deaths on Thursday, even as many as 9,895 more people tested positive in various parts of the State.
With 298 fresh deaths, the state surpassed its earlier record of 295 deaths recorded on July 4. With Thursday’s fatality tally, the total number of deaths mounted to 12,854.
With the 9895 positive cases reported on Thursday, the total number of cases inched closer 3.5 lakh mark to touch 3,47,502. Of the 298 deaths, Pune accounted for 78 deaths, while Mumbai recorded 55 deaths.
Apart from 78 deaths reported in Pune and 55 deaths in Mumbai, there were 47deaths in Thane, 25 deaths in Palghar, 15 in Nashik, 14 in Jalgaon, 10 in Aurangabad, 6 in Latur, 5 in Sangli, 4 each in Kolhapur, Nanded and Hingoli, 3 each in Raigad, Solapur, Beed and Jalna, 2 each in Dhule, Ratnagiri, Amravati and Yavatmal and one death each in Ahmednagar, Satara, Parbhani, Osmanabad, Akola and Nagpur. In addition, six persons from other states died in Maharashtra.
With fresh fatalities and infections in Mumbai, the total number of deaths in Mumbai rose from 5,875 to 5,930, while the total number of infected cases rose by 1,245 to touch 105,923.
With 81708 infected cases and 2193 deaths, Thane continued to be the second worst hit district in Maharashtra.
Pune, which has emerged as the third worst affected district in terms of spread of the pandemic, has recorded 66538 infections and 1592 deaths till now.
Meanwhile, the total number of patients discharged from various hospitals after full recovery since the second week of March this year touched 1,94,253. The recovery rate in the state stood at 55.90 per cent. The mortality rate in the state is 3.7 per cent. The state health authorities pegged the number of “active cases” in the state at 1,40,092.
In a related development, Mumbai – where the Covid-19 situation has been improving during the last few weeks, achieved a recovery rate of 72 percent and a case doubling rate of 61 days now. Currently, there are 6,733 active containment zones in slums, chawls and buildings.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Thursday introduced 3 specially-fitted and equipped autorickshaws for Covid-19 duties which can enter into narrow lanes to cater to suspect cases.
On his part, Maharashtra Minister Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated the state’s 131st Covid testing lab in Osmanabad. “Maharashtra will soon offer world-class health facilities for Corona patients,” he said.
Out of 17,37,716 samples sent to laboratories, 3,47,502 have tested positive (20 cent) for COVID-19 until Thursday.
Currently, 8,74,267 people are in home quarantine while 44,222 people are in institutional quarantine.