Why is Maharashtra seeing a Covid-19 cases spike

The last two weeks have seen a constant rise in the number of new coronavirus cases in Maharashtra. In view of this Maharashtra government has reinstated a few of the Covid-19 restrictions that limit the number of people gathering and also their movement. The government has also said that it wouldn’t shy away from bringing back the lockdown if deemed necessary. 

Last week Maharashtra crossed the 3000 marks of newly reported cases every day. The second week of February recorded 14% more cases than the first week. On this Sunday, February 14, a total of 20,207 new Covid-19 cases were detected across the state. The maximum surge contribution of caseload has been from Mumbai, Pune, Vidarbha region along with surrounding areas. The majority of cases in February second week were from Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Amravati, and Nagpur. 

Maharashtra has been consistently recording an increased number of cases. But the reason for alarm currently is the latest spike in cases in the last two weeks is in opposite direction to the declining number trend that seemed and was hoped to be more permanent. Dr. Shashank Joshi of the state’s Covid-19 task force said, “It is not a red signal yet, but definitely a yellow warning. We have to take steps to ensure that this does not become red.”

One chief reason for this sudden spike can be attributed to local trains resumption in Mumbai for general public use. But the spike in Vidarbha is linked to gram panchayat elections that were recently held. State surveillance officer Dr. Pradeep Awate said, “Some areas in Vidarbha and Marathwada had reported more than 80% voter turnout during the gram panchayat elections. It could have led to the spread of the disease.”

Citing the grand wedding and other celebratory gatherings taking place in the state with 400-500 people, the new regulations would limit that number to 50 maximum.