Maharashtra reports 51,880 new Covid cases, 891 deaths

Mumbai: Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 51,880 new coronavirus infections which took the state's case tally to 48,22,902, while 891 fatalities pushed the death toll to 71,742, the health department said.

Out of 891 deaths, 397 occurred in the last 48 hours while the rest had taken place earlier but were reported on Tuesday, officials said.

As many as 65,934 patients –more than new infections –were discharged from hospitals, which took the count of recoveries to 41,07,092.

The recovery rate of the state is 85.16 percent and case fatality rate is 1.49 percent.

There are 6,41,910 active cases in Maharashtra as of now.

Mumbai reported 2,554 new cases and 62 deaths, which took the caseload in the country's financial capital to 6,61,175 and death toll to 13,434.

The larger Mumbai division, including surrounding satellite cities, reported 7,436 new cases and 165 deaths.

Nashik division saw 8,414 new cases including 2,127 in Nashik city. Pune division reported 12,153 cases including 3,003 in Pune city. Kolhapur division reported 4,061 cases, Aurangabad division 2,041 cases, Latur division 3,753 cases and Akola division recorded 5,525 cases.

Nagpur division reported 8,497 cases including 2,689 in Nagpur city.

As many 2,40,956 people were tested for coronavirus during the day, taking the total of samples tested so far to 2,81,05,382.

Meanwhile, an official said on Tuesday that strict curbs will be imposed in Sangli, Satara and Kolhapur districts of western Maharashtra amid the rise in COVID-19 cases.

State Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil on Tuesday announced a strict eight-day lockdown in Sangli district from the midnight of May 5 in view of the rising number of COVID 19 cases.

Patil, who is also the guardian minister of the district, said the region had recorded 1,568 COVID-19 cases and 40 casualties on Monday.

There was no option, but to impose a complete lockdown to save lives, he said.

The administration in Satara district on Tuesday announced stricter restrictions for a week to contain the spread of coronavirus in the region.

As per the fresh curbs, shops selling essential commodities such as milk, groceries, vegetables and fruits will remain closed and only home delivery of these items will be permitted.

Under the earlier guidelines, shops selling essentials were allowed to operate from 7 am to 11 am in the district.

The restrictions will remain in place in Satara till May 10, it was stated.

Similarly, the administration in Kolhapur has imposed certain curbs for 10 days starting from 11 am on May 5 till May 13, an official said.