Maharashtra can face third wave of COVID-19 cases in July: Rajesh Tope

Maharashtra can face third wave of COVID-19 cases in July: Rajesh Tope.

Still reeling under a second deadly wave of COVID-19 Maharashtra may witness a third wave of infection in July-August, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Thursday.

Tope’s grim prediction came on a day when Maharashtra, the country’s worst-hit state by the pandemic, recorded 66,159 coronavirus cases and 771 deaths.

Speaking to reporters here, he said: According to epidemiologists, Maharashtra could witness a third wave of COVID-19 in July or August.

“Maharashtra is trying to be self-sufficient in terms of medical oxygen availability by then. It has been said that the state could reach the plateau level of COVID-19 cases at the end of May. If it is hit by a third wave in July or August, it would increase the challenges before the state administration, “he said.

Tope spoke after participating in a review meeting with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, where various aspects of COVID-19 management and vaccination were discussed.

“District collectors and division commissioners also participated in the virtual meeting. During the discussion, the prime minister emphasized the installation of 125 PSA (pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plants (to generate medical oxygen) as very early to treat patients with mild to moderate disease COVID-19 infection, “said Tope.

The district collectors were told that the government will not tolerate any complaints about the lack of oxygen availability when the state is hit by a third wave, the health minister said.

Maintaining that the current oxygen requirement is being met through local generation as well as supplies from the Center, he said Maharashtra faces a shortage of 10,000 to 15,000 vials of Remdesivir, which is used to treat critical problems. COVID-19 patients.

“Although there is a shortage, we have asked physicians to use it wisely. Additional doses could cause serious side effects,” he said.

Tope said the prime minister informed the meeting that he had told business houses and corporations that if they spend on establishing COVID-19 related facilities, that money will be considered as a CSR expense.

“They can take advantage of all the benefits related to spending on CSR and this will also ease the financial burden on the state,” said the Minister of Health.

“We will try to install oxygen generating plants, organize oxygen concentrators and provide medical equipment such as CT and MRI machines to districts where these facilities are not available,” he said.

Districts such as Hingoli, Jalna, Parbhani, Osmanabad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Washim, and Gadchiroli will receive telemedicine services where COVID-19 patients with other health problems can seek advice from doctors in major cities, Tope said.

Maharashtra, which has so far reported 45,39,553 Coronavirus cases and 67,985 deaths, is under restrictions similar to those of confinement until May 15.