No community spread of Covid-19 in Maharashtra: Rajesh Tope

National

Even as coronavirus cases continue to rise in Maharashtra, Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday clarified that there is no community spread of the virus in the state. He asserted that most new cases are of people who are either under institutional quarantine, home quarantine, or with some contact history. At a press conference, Tope said that he thinks that there is no community spread in the state. At least, as of today, he is of the opinion that they do not have community spread there. Most of the cases which are coming positive are of people who are either under institutional quarantine, home quarantine, or with some contact history.

He went on to say that they are seeing a lot of places where flattening of the curve has started like Sangli, Malegaon, and Solapur, etc. Spread will increase it’s true, but they can’t close down everything including stopping economic activities. But there are certain places where lockdown can be imposed locally to contain the spread. He said that it’s not needed that lockdown should be re-imposed. They are going towards more relaxations phase-wise, not towards lockdown. The state will see a phase-wise unlock in the coming days.

Maharashtra, the worst-hit coronavirus state, has a total of 1,80,298 cases including 8,053 fatalities. The minister said that Remdesivir and Favipiravir medicines will be available in all the districts in the coming two days. He said that they are ensuring that these medicines are not just available for the rich and influential people. They will be available to all. In government hospitals, they will be free and in private and trust hospitals also they have ensured they are available at the least possible price.

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Tope highlighted that plasma therapy is a very effective way of treatment, with nine out of ten patients getting better through it. He said that a dedicated helpline will be started for relatives of COVID-19 patients. He also said all hospitals have been directed to make arrangements for patients to see and speak to their relatives at a certain place while following all social distancing norms and COVID protocols. The minister further said that all collectors and commissioners will acquire ambulances on a rental basis and per kilometer rates will be fixed for every district.Tope said that CCTVs for all COVID wards are being arranged.

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