Maharashtra reports over 55000 fresh Covid cases, hospitals face oxygen shortage

State Health Minister Rajesh Tope reportedly spoke with his counterpart in the Centre, Harsh Vardhan, requesting him to let neighbouring states send oxygen cylinders to Maharashtra.

The surge in cases is happening even as weekend lockdown in Maharashtra is already in effect.

Mumbai alone reported record high cases at 10,030, the second-highest daily count so far, while 31 patients died due to the infection, the most in a day since October-end, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

The new cases took the cumulative tally in the financial capital to 4,72,332, while the death count jumped to 11,828, according to the city civic body data.

Besides Mumbai, Pune reported 11,040 cases and 34 deaths, Nashik 4,350 cases and 24 deaths, and Nagpur 3,753 cases and 35 deaths.

Several Bollywood celebrities like Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar and Alia Bhatt have tested Covid-19 positive.

Earlier Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had requested the Centre to allow inoculation for all ages.

But the centre on Tuesday ruled out the possibility anytime soon saying it will first vaccinate priority groups and the most vulnerable ones.

A curfew from 8 pm to 7 am and a ban on a gathering of five or more throughout the day are already in effect in the state.

Malls, restaurants, bars and places of worship are closed during the weekend and only home delivery and essential services are allowed to run. Industrial operations and construction activity are allowed.