Rajesh Tope: Maharashtra Lockdown Likely To Be Extended Till May 31

India is facing the brunt of COVID-19 once again, with Maharashtra once again leading with the most cases. But the state government soon imposed lockdown-like restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus and break the chain of transmission. Though the coronavirus cases are slowly declining in Maharashtra, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope has hinted that the lockdown is likely to be extended till May 31st.

State Health Minister Rajesh Tope in a media interaction with Free Press Journal said, “If the strict restrictions will be lifted then the situation may get out of hand once again. The government is geared up to tackle the third wave and is in the midst of ramping up the bed capacity, availability of Remdesivir and other medical facilities and also to achieve self-sufficiency in oxygen through Mission Oxygen. The government is also increasing the pace of vaccination.”

He added, “The situation will be reviewed by the government and a final call on lockdown extension will be taken after that. The state government is stressing on tracking, tracing, and treating COVID-19 patients to curb the outbreak.”

The Maharashtra government had imposed lockdown-like restrictions in the state from April 22 to May 1. The lockdown was later extended till May 15. Looks like the State Government is now thinking of extending the lockdown restrictions till May 31 as the daily COVID-19 cases are still between 50,000 and 60,000 in the state.

The total number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra jumped to 51,01,737 and the death toll rose to 75,849. Mumbai has reported 2,395 cases and 68 deaths in the last 24 hours.

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