Pune: The COVID-19 surge in Pune continued in the last 24 hours with the district reporting 6,432 cases, and the city accounting for 3,286 of them, according to health department. The district now has a caseload of 4,92,694, including 9,724 deaths, 42 of which were reported on Thursday.

Of the 6,432 total cases, Pune city (Pune Municipal Corporation) witnessed 3,286 new cases on Thursday followed by 1,811 in Pimpri Chinchwad (Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation). Also, rural part of the district recorded 972 new cases while the Cantonment saw 84 new cases in last 24 hours.

The Union Health Ministry during their weekly briefing cautioned the state about the rising cases of the novel coronavirus. The Ministry also said that nine out of the 10 worst-affected districts in the country are in Maharashtra.

While the Pune has ruled out the possibility of a lockdown, authorities are cracking down on establishments violating COVID-19 rules. Apart from a night curfew around the city, schools, colleges and private coaching classes in the city have been shut and private offices are allowed to function only with 50 per cent staff.

Also, amid the surge in the new cases of COVID-19, Pune district administration on Wednesday declared that Holi celebrations in public and private places will be banned.

In an official order, District Collector Rajesh Deshmukh stated against the backdrop of COVID-19 cases, Holi celebrations in public spaces such as hotels, resorts and other public places in the rural areas are banned. The PMC has also barred Holi celebrations in public places and housing societies within the city limits.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra touched another new high with a single-day surge of 35,952 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, its highest since the pandemic started last year.