While Maharashtra is still reeling with the second Covid wave, Maharashtra is likely to be hit by a third wave by July and August, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Thursday, citing the epidemiologists consulted by the government.
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope also cited the same and said the state is preparing itself to face a possible third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and keeping in view of the oxygen shortage in the country Maharashtra is working to set up oxygen plants and arrange oxygen concentrators.
“Crisis of oxygen should not happen in future, we have informed all officials. Huge oxygen plants are being set up," the minister said.
Maharashtra is also witnessing a shortage of vaccines and said that the state will not be commencing the third phase of inncoulation.
“Vaccination for 18-44 ages cannot begin on May 1. The Serum Institute of India has given purchase order for just three lakh doses. It is not enough. We need at least 20 lakh doses, only then vaccination can be started," Tope said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Thursday recorded 66,159 daily infections pushing the count to 4,539,553. The tally of active cases reduced to 670,301 as 68,537 recoveries reported in the past 24 hours. The state saw 771 deaths, taking the toll to 67,985. Pune had 130, the highest number of deaths across the state, with 94 fatalities in the city and 36 from its rural areas.