Maharashtra steps up vigil as Covid cases rise

Maharashtra has stepped up effort to detect and control rising cases in the state - with the state government advising citizens to wear masks in public places.

There is no decision on compulsory masking, we however want people to wear masks on their own as a precaution due to a rise in covid cases, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.

"We have just implored people to wear masks in closed spaces like schools, offices, buses, trains, for people to wear masks. This was just an advisory," Tope added.


"We are just appealing to the people."

The Maharashtra health department on Friday asked district and civic authorities to ramp up coronavirus testing as the numbers of samples being examined had fallen while cases were rising.

In a letter to collectors, municipal corporations and chief executive officers, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Pradeep Vyas said all districts should ensure the proportion of RT-PCR tests was at least 60 per cent.

In view of rising cases, it said people should be advised to wear masks in closed public spaces like trains, buses, cinemas, auditoriums, offices, hospitals, colleges and schools.

The state has seen a sharp spike in cases over the last week, with June 1 reporting 1,081 cases, the highest since February 24.