COVID-19: Lockdown in Mumbai, Pune? Here's what Maharashtra's Health Minister Rajesh Tope said

With the surge in coronavirus cases across the country, several states have imposed strict measures to contain the spread. Maharashtra, which is the most affected state, has reported over 23 lakh cases so far.

Amid the rising cases, there are speculations that the Uddhav Thackeray led government might reimpose a lockdown in Mumbai and some other cities, which are witnessing a high number of cases. However, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has denied the possibility of a lockdown.

Speaking to a leading news channel, the minister said that even though the cases are rising, the government is very well prepared to handle it and there's no need for lockdown in Mumbai. 

"Not at all. Lockdown is the last resort. For lockdown there are norms - hospitals have to be overwhelmed or there has to be unavailability of beds or doctors. Only in such cases, we go for lockdown. We are very well prepared, there are lots of beds vacant. 85% of patients are asymptomatic and are in home quarantine. There's no reason for a lockdown," the minister said when asked about the possibility of lockdown in Mumbai.

It may be noted that restrictions have been imposed in a few cities of Maharashtra, including lockdown in Nagpur, and night curfew in Pune and Latur.

On Wednesday, Maharashtra reported 23,179 fresh COVID-19 cases, its highest single-day tally in 2021. With these new cases, the state's overall caseload has climbed to 23,70,507.

As many as 35,871 new COVID-19 cases and 17,741 recoveries were reported in India in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry informed on Thursday.