Wear Masks, Maitain Social Distancing: Maharashtra Health Minister Advises Amid Rising H3N2 Cases

Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant has asked people to wear masks, maintain social distancing and avoid visiting crowded areas.

Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant

Source : ANI | Twitter

Maharashtra H3N2 Cases: Amid rising cases of the H3N2 Influenza virus, Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant has asked people to wear masks, maintain social distancing and avoid visiting crowded areas. The minister acknowledged the spread of the virus and asserted that the hospitals in the state have been asked to stay alert. He said that a meeting of the health department in presence of CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis was held on Thursday.

According to ANI, he told reporters, "H3N2 virus is spreading in the state, but there is no need to worry. People must not go in crowded areas, wear masks & maintain social distancing. H3N2 & Covid cases are on rise again in the state."

"All the hospitals have been asked to be on alert. Yesterday there was a meeting of the Health Department, in the presence of the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister," Sawant added, quoted ANI.

There is change in the weather, which is affecting health. Reduce going to crowded places, use masks, wash hands and maintain distance, consult doctor only if you have fever etc: Tanaji Sawant, Maharashtra Heath Minister pic.twitter.com/juxbUGasT5

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2023

He asked people to consult a doctor if they have a fever adding, "There is a change in the weather, which is affecting health. Reduce going to crowded places, use masks, wash hands and maintain distance."

On Friday, the audit report of the Maharashtra health ministry said that two of the three suspected H3N2 deaths that were earlier reported in the state have not occurred due to the virus. The audit report of the third case, which was reported from Ahmednagar, is yet to come.

Earlier on Thursday, a 73-year-old man who tested positive for the H3N2 virus died during treatment in Maharashtra's Pimpri Chinchwad. In a statement, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) said the patient was also suffering from COPD (pulmonary disease) and atrial fibrillation, ANI reported.

According to the report, the man was undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) for the last four days at the civic-run Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital.