COVID-19: Maharashtra reports 10,014 recoveries in 24 hrs, total confirmed cases top 5.35L

Maharashtra reported 11,088 new cases of Coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, propelling the state's COVID-19 tally to 5,35,601, data from the state health department revealed.

The number of recovered patients rose by 10,014 in the same period, taking the aggregate of recovered cases to 3,68,435. The Recovery Rate in the state now stands at 68.79%, closing in on the national average of near 70%.

The state's Coronavirus death toll reached 18,306 on Tuesday after 256 patients succumbed to the highly infectious respiratory disease. After updating figures, the state health department noted that out of those 256 deaths, 211 are from the last 48 hours and 34 are from last week. The rest 11 deaths are from the period before last week. Out of these 11 deaths, 7 occurred in Thane district, 2 in Palghar, 1 in Kolhapur, and 1 in Nashik. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) in the state now stands at 3.42% as against India's 2%.

As of August 11, there are 1,48,553 active cases in Maharashtra, the highest of any other State in the country.

Currently, 10,04,233 people are under home quarantine and 35,648 people in institutional quarantine. Furthermore, out of 28,37,578 laboratory samples, 5,35,601 have been tested positive (18.87%) for COVID-19 until August 11.

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In the state capital Mumbai, 917 people were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the aggregate to 1,25,224. As per the state health bulletin, India's financial capital has 18,887 active cases while 6,893 patients have died. For over a month now, Mumbai has reported less than 2,000 cases a day while the number of tests has remained fairly progressive, a sign that the outbreak is easing.

Meanwhile, the total number of cases in neighbouring Thane district touched 1,06,938, of which it has 20,684 active cases. The tally of active cases in Palghar meanwhile stands at 5,558 while it is 6,211 in Nagpur. Cases in Pune district have surged to 1,16,646, of which there are 39,778 active cases.

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Govt response ramps up

As Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra continue to soar, state health minister Rajesh Tope has informed that 500 ambulances have been procured to transport patients which can enable timely treatment to them.

Besides, to curb the spread of the infection, the district administration of Aurangabad has decided to undertake a serosurvey from Monday. As per reports, the district authorities have appealed citizens to participate in the serosurvey. As many as 263 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the district on Sunday, taking the total number of cases to 16,753, of which nearly 5,000 are active cases — those under medical supervision.

On the other hand, coronavirus infection, which had spread rapidly in North Mumbai including Dahisar, Borivali and Kandivali areas, seems to be coming under control. Effective measures have been taken to increase the screening process of hawkers and shopkeepers through door-to-door screening by the municipal corporation. As a result, the rate of increase in new coronavirus cases has reduced by 30% in the last 15 days.

Tope expressed concern over the high positivity rate of COVID-19 cases in Kolhapur district after reviewing the situation there and Satara along with NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday. He said Kolhapur's positivity rate was 35 per cent. Tope said a "jumbo COVID facility" can be constructed in Satara if need be, adding that a new testing lab was being set up there to ensure results are received within 24 hours

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