Pune: Pune's District Information Officer (DIO) Rajendra Sarag passed away on Saturday at the Sassoon General Hospital on Saturday. The 54-year-old, Sarag had tested positive for coronavirus recently and was admitted to the hospital, where he breathed his last on Saturday morning. Sarag, a Maharashtra government official, had served at information offices in different districts of Maharashtra.

Sarag had tested positive for thr infection on last Sunday and was admitted to a private hospital. Due to high sugar levels, his health was deteriorating. Thus, was shifted to Sassoon General Hospital. Despite efforts from the doctors, h breathed last on Saturday morning.

Sarag who was appointed as DIO in Pune three years back is survived by wife and two sons.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who is Pune's Guardian Minister said, "We deeply mourn the death of Rajendra Sarag due to COVID-19. Over the last few days, doctors and paramedical team of Sasson Hospital tried their best to save his life. It is painful as we have lost such an officer."

Meanwhile, Pune district on Friday recorded 9,126 cases of COVID-19 infections. Of the total cases, Pune city (Pune Municipal Corporation) accounted for 4,653 of the new cases, and its total stood at 2,78,099. It was followed by addition of 2,453 new cases in Pimpri Chinchwad, which has an infection count of 1,44,714 till date.The number of cases in the district's rural and cantonment areas was 1,28,695.

Friday also witnessed 58 deaths, taking the overall tally to 10,097 while 3,337 people were discharged.

Due to rising cases of the infection, the district administration has enforced mini-lockdown to restrict the further spread. In the new set of restrictions, all shopping malls, theatres, cafes, restaurants and bars will remain shut for one week while the PMPMPL services has also been suspended. The district will also witness curfew from 6 pm to 6 am.