More than 63,000 fresh cases of COVID-19 in a single day have become a cause of concern for the state, forcing the Maharashtra government to take stern action to control the spread of the novel Coronavirus.
According to sources, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackery is holding a series of crucial meetings with heath experts and Covid-19 Task Force regarding measures, including the imposition of a lockdown and lessen the blow on the economically weaker sections that will be hit hard if/when lockdown in imposed. The CM is likely to hold another round of meeting on Monday to take a call on state-wide lockdown and draft standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines.
In a meeting held on Sunday, Thackeray proposed 8 days lockdown while the members of Taskforce suggested a complete shut for 14 days. The Chief Minister during the meeting discussed the availability of oxygen and beds, use of Remdesivir, treatment protocols, increase in capacity of facilities, imposition of restrictions, and fines for violating Covid-19 protocols.
It is written in Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamama, "The Chief Minister of the view that if we have to break the chain of corona infection, then there is no option other than lockdown. Mr. Fadnavis may suggest if has some other option else we have to control this crisis by imposing lockdown in the state."
Meanwhile, Fadnavis and his party members who were also present at the meeting yesterday, are of the belief that lockdown is not the solution as it may affect people adversely.
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Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Sunday reported 63,294 new Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to 34,07,245. The state reported 34,008 recoveries and 349 deaths in the last 24 hours. There are 5, 65,587 active cases in Maharashtra, which is the worst affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Around 27, 82,161 people have so far recovered while the death toll stands at 57,987.
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