Pune: Asserting that strict restrictions might be clamped if the Covid-19 cases continue to rise in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday informed that more than ten ministers and over 20 MLAs in the state have so far tested positive for coronavirus.
“We cut short the Assembly session recently. So far, over 10 ministers and over 20 MLAs have tested positive for coronavirus,” Pawar told reporters after visiting the Jaystambh military monument in Perne village on the occasion of the 204th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima, PTI reported.
“Everybody wants to be part of the celebrations of New Year, birthdays and other occasions. Keep in mind that the new variant (Omicron) spreads fast and hence caution is needed,” he added.
Pawar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made an appeal and added that some states have announced a night curfew in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases.
“In Maharashtra, cases are increasing in Mumbai and Pune,” he said.
Responding to a poser on the possibility of imposition of more curbs in Maharashtra, Pawar said the state government is keeping a tab on the increasing number of patients.
“If the number of patients continues to rise then there will be strict restrictions. To avoid strict restrictions, everybody should follow norms,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s remarks came a day after Maharashtra reported 8,067 fresh Covid-19 positive cases.
Maharashtra capital Mumbai, according to a civic official, earlier on Friday reported 5,631 new coronavirus cases, which took the caseload in the city on the last day of 2021 to 7,85,110.