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Business News/ News / India/  Maharashtra CM says easing of Covid-19 lockdown will be on the basis of…
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Maharashtra CM says easing of Covid-19 lockdown will be on the basis of…

To tackle the second wave of the pandemic, the state required 1,700 to 1,800 metric tonne oxygen daily, which it had to procure from other states
  • The CM said, he has given instructions to increase the oxygen production in the state to 3,000 metric tonne from the present 1,400 metric tonne
  • The CM addressed a virtual medical conference todayPremium
    The CM addressed a virtual medical conference today

     Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday asserted that easing of COVID-19 restrictions across the state would be based on the availability of oxygen. He further noted that it is up to the people to prevent or invite a 'third wave' of the pandemic.

     The CM while addressing a virtual medical conference urged political parties not to demand reopening of places where crowds cannot be avoided. "Don't play with the lives of people. Hold agitations, but against COVID-19. It is up to us to prevent a third wave or invite it," he said.

    The conference was attended by medical practitioners from various parts of the state and also the Covid-19 task force members.

    Claiming that Maharashtra is the only state which has upgraded its health infrastructure to tackle the pandemic, he said, "We are only falling short of oxygen production, which takes a little longer. At present, our daily oxygen production is around 1,200 to 1,300 metric tonne which is used for industrial as well as medical purposes. For the industrial purpose, oxygen is required in steel, glass and pharma sectors. We need 150 metric tonne daily for non-COVID-19 patients and 200 metric tonne for COVID-19 patients."

    To tackle the second wave of the pandemic, the state required 1,700 to 1,800 metric tonne oxygen daily, which it had to procure from other states. The CM said, he has given instructions to increase the oxygen production in the state to 3,000 metric tonne from the present 1,400 metric tonne.

    "But, that will take time. We may not get enough oxygen from other states if the number of cases there increase."

    Noting that second wave of COVID-19 is "under control", chief minister said, however, there is a slight increase in the number of daily cases in the last few days.

    "We have to avoid crowding...have patience. We should not be required to close the places which have been opened up now," he said, adding, "people should know that the enemy is yet not completely defeated...the thick tail is still there."

    The need of the hour is to have a stock of medicines and oxygen, he said, and asked hospitals and clinics to have an audit of their electric equipment.

    5 districts account for 72% of the active cases

    Maharashtra health secretary Pradeep Vyas, who was also present at the event, said, five Maharashtra districts which account for 72% of the active cases are Pune, Thane, Satara, Ahmednagar, Mumbai, the official said. Besides, the districts of concern where the positivity rate is on an upward swing since August 29 are - Pune, Ahmednagar, Satara, Solapur, Sangli, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg,

    Vyas also said these districts will need a special caution, especially after the 'Ganesh Chaturthi' (the 10-day festival which will commence later this week).

    Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 9, 2020, the highest daily spike in the state was 24,886 on September 19 last year. During the second wave, the highest single day spike was 68,631 on April 18, 2021.

    The highest number of active cases during the first wave was 3,09,752 on September 17, 2020 , and during the second wave, the highest number of active cases was 6,99,858 on April 22, 2021.

    On Saturday, the number of active cases in the state was 52,025, and single-day spike was of 4,130 cases. In the last 15 days, there was no reduction in the number of new cases reported daily and active cases.

    (With inputs from agencies)


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    Published: 05 Sep 2021, 02:37 PM IST
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