In a significant uptick, Maharashtra registered 35 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, marking one of the highest daily figures observed in several months. This surge is primarily attributed to an intensified daily testing initiative, with over 1,000 tests conducted in the past 24 hours. A total of 1,791 tests were carried out, resulting in a test positivity rate of 1.9 percent. Although this reflects a slight decrease from Friday’s rate, which surged to 2.8 percent, it remains a cause for concern. Out of the 676 tests conducted on Friday, 19 returned positive results. Despite the surge in daily cases, an average of only 650 tests were being conducted in a population estimated at 12 crores. Experts have voiced their apprehension about this relatively low testing rate, especially considering the substantial burden of ongoing cases of seasonal flu across the state. Responding promptly, the state health ministry has issued directives instructing districts to significantly scale up testing efforts in anticipation of the upcoming festival season. Simultaneously, the state health department has taken proactive measures by initiating the establishment of a dedicated Covid task force. Currently, the state reports 103 active Covid-19 cases, with Mumbai carrying the highest burden at 52, followed by Thane with 18 cases, and Pune with 17 cases. As Maharashtra navigates this resurgence, the emphasis on testing and strategic measures becomes crucial in mitigating the impact and ensuring public health and safety.
