Washim: With the second wave of COVID-19 hitting Maharashtra, the state from past week is witnessing a sudden surge in spread of infection.

In a recent grim development, over 200 cases emerged from a single hostel in a school in the Washim district. Those who tested positive are 225 students and four teachers, according to media reports. The school premises have reportedly now declared as containment zone.

The students who are tested for COVID19 positive are mostly from Yavatmal and Amravati. These two districts have seen an increase of COVID cases in recent weeks. Apart from the hostel in Washim, a student hostel in the Latur district also has reported as many as 39 students and five staff members testing positive for the infection. Latur’s District Collector on Wednesday has declared that the district will observe Janata Curfew during the weekend (February 27 and February 28).

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had already warned the second wave of COVID-19 could be a matter of worry for all. He also warned that people continue to flout COVID-19 norms, Maharashtra may see another lockdown.

Meanwhile, Washim has been talking point recently over a large gathering near a temple on Tuesday in violation of COVID-19 norms. Thousands of supporters of Sanjay Rathod, Forest Minister of state whose name has been linked by the BJP (opposition) to the death of a girl in Pune, gathered near the temple as he visited the shrine.

On the other side, Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 8,800 new cases for the first time in three months.