Pune: In a huge sigh of relief, active cases in Pune have gone down more than 25,000. In the last few days, the number of recovered COVID-19 patients has been higher than the new infections in the Pune district. Pune, the city which had been powering the rise in cases in the country, is showing signs of a decline.

In the last two days, the number of recovered COVID-19 patients has been higher than the new infections in Pune district according to the health department. As per the district administration's health department, while 6,046 new cases were registered on Monday, the lowest in the last several days, 8,823 people recovered from the contagion during the day. This pushed the COVID-19 recovery rate in Pune district to 86.10 per cent, it added. On Sunday, while the daily COVID-19 total was 10,193, the number of patients discharged from hospitals stood at 10,607 in the district.

MORE RECOVERIES IN PUNE

Pune was among the worst-affected by COVID-19 in the state. The district was also accounting for 12 per cent of the total cases reported in India towards the start of April. Pune was also one of the worst-affected urban areas in the world.

In the persistent surge in COVID-19 cases supported by rising concern and suffering, there is silver lining: for the last few days, the case count in Pune city has gone down consistently. 44,189 people in the city have recovered from the infection in the last eight days in the city. Pune city from last week is witnessing a dip in new cases while on the positive front, recoveries have gone up here.

LOCKDOWN STYLE RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE IN PUNE

Though, the entire state is under ‘lockdown style’ restrictions, Pune also observes weekend lockdown which is helping to avert the further spread of the infection. The restrictions which will remain in place till May 1 has forced people to remain home. As all essential shops are allowed to function between 7 am to 11 am, bustling streets wear a deserted look after the mentioned time. Also, government and private offices have put a cap on the working capacity, traffic is also negligible in the city. With police intensifying the checking of the vehicles and taking stringent action on the violators, people can be seen practicing all COVID-19 protocols.

On the other side, according to multiple media reports, the state is also planning to extend the restrictions. If government find the restrictions effective, Punekars will have to survive for more days.

REST OF MAHARASHTRA

Talking about the state, Maharashtra also saw new cases and deaths decreasing gradually on Monday though the state total crossed the 43 lakh mark and deaths went past 65,000, according to the data issued by health department.

The state recorded 524 deaths-down from the highest 832 on Sunday, taking up its toll to 65,284 now, the worst in the country. Dropping below the 50,000 mark in over a fortnight, from the record high of 68,631 (April 18), the daily case tally was 48,700, taking the cumulative total to 43,43,727.

Even the Mumbai Circle - comprising Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad districts - recorded a massive fall in new cases from 14,296 on Sunday to 9,683 now, taking up the tally to 13,25,582, while 130 more deaths, the toll shot up to 22,755.

Of the day's total deaths in major cities of Maharashtra, Mumbai led with 71 fatalities, while there were 58 in Aurangabad, 41 in Ahmednagar, 38 in Nagpur.

COVID CARE BEDS AT NANDURBAR RAILWAY STATION

The India Railways has set up 2,670 COVID Care beds at nine railway stations around various districts of the country, an official statement said on Monday. The Ministry in a statement said, “In Nandrubar (Maharashtra), 24 isolation coaches with a capacity of 292 beds have been deployed. This facility has registered 73 admissions till date. Of the 55 patients' admissions in the current Covid spell, 7 patients have been discharged. Four new admissions were recorded today. The Unit has 326 beds still available for Covid patients.”