Mumbai: Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Dhananjay Munde tested positive for novel coronavirus on Tuesday. This is the second time he got infected by the COVID-19. Senior leader from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), had earlier tested positive for the contagion in June last year.

Taking to Twitter, Munde on Tuesday said that he had tested positive for coronavirus for the second time. He said, “I request everyone who has come in contact with me in the last few days to get themselves checked. There is nothing to worry. Everyone should wear a mask, follow social distancing and take care of themselves.” Last time, when Munde had tested positive, it was after attending a state cabinet meeting and taken part in the NCP’s Foundation Day event. He had been admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.

Earlier on Tuesday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s wife Rashmi Thackeray tested positive for COVID-19. The Chief Minister and his wife had taken a first jab of the vaccine against COVID-19 at the government-run JJ Hospital in Mumbai on March 11.

Meanwhile, the state on Tuesday recorded 132 deaths, after 127 on December 4, taking its total to 53,589. A day after crossing the 25 lakh total of infections, the state's new infections gone up from 24,645 on Monday to 28,699.

Slamming the current MVA (MahaVikas Aghadi) government led by Uddhav Thackeray, Former CM Fadnavis said that the government does not have any seriousness about the grim situation of the COVID-19 in the state. He was quoted as saying by ANI, “This Govt is not bothered about the COVID-19 situation in the state. The way in which cases are increasing here, it has become the epicentre. I don't understand what has this government done to control it? It is time to act & not give lectures.”

PARBHANI, BEED UNDER LOCKDOWN

As the cases of the novel infection surge in Maharashtra, Parbhani district in Marathwada region will remain under a lockdown from March 24 to March 31. Parbhani reported 1,132 new cases to its tally since March 1, taking the cumulative count to 5,843 as on March 22. Also, the lockdown will be imposed in Beed district starting from March 25. The lockdown will remain in place till April 4.