Coronavirus – 552 new cases  in Maharashtra ,Many Areas to be sealed for a week

Pune, 20 April 2020: On Sunday, 552 new cases were reported in Maharashtra, which is the highest number of infections found in any state of the country in one day.

According to the latest data from the Union Health Ministry, 519 people have died and 16,116 people have been infected by the epidemic so far in the country. 2,231 patients have also recovered completely after treatment.

Most cases in Maharashtra

Maharashtra has reported the highest number of 552 new cases and the number of infected has reached 4,200 in the state. Out of total new cases, 456 are from Mumbai itself. Nearly three thousand have been infected in Mumbai. Four policemen of Shahu Nagar police station in Dharavi, Mumbai have also been found infected. They are housed in isolation centers in Dadar area.

All areas in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad sealed

As Coronavirus Positive cases are rising day by day in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, whole areas under Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) have been sealed from today till April 27. People will not be allowed to move out of their area.

PMC Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad and PCMC Commissioner Shravan Hardikar issued order for their respective areas declaring them as containment zone for strict enforcement of curfew. Now all entry, exit points have been closed by police and essential commodities shops will be allowed to operate for few hours.

According to the district health officer (DHO), the number of COVID19 patients reached 669 till 4 pm yesterday including 562 in Pune and 62 in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Till now 50 people have died. There are 15 critical patients in Pune city. There is fear of community stage transfer and hence areas are being sealed.

PMC Commissioner Gaikwad in his order stated, “As COVID19 cases are increasing day by day, there is threat to life of Punekars, hence a need has arisen to keep check on movement of people. 13 out of 15 ward areas have got positive patients. Therefore, entire PMC area will be sealed. Only police and other essential services vehicle will be allowed. Other government offices will operate with 10 percent staffs only.”

According to the order issued by PCMC Commissioner Hardikar, there is continuous increase in number COVID19 patients in Pimpri-Chinchwad areas, which requires stringent steps as per protocol declared by the state and central government. The Corona patients’ number has increased to 62 out of which 17 person have been cured and discharged from hospitals till now, while one person has succumbed to the deadly virus.

Police have been ordered to close all exit points including major roads. Also kirana, banks, milk, chicken/mutton, vegetable, fruits, will be sold only between 10 am to 2 pm. PCMC has already designated spots for vegetable/fruits sale. No vendor is allowed to sell them on carts. Hospital, medical stores will remain functional. The home delivery of medicine, food, grocery and other essential commodities will be allowed between 8 am to 10 pm. The Moshi sub yard will continue to function as per the order of Pune divisional commissioner.

“Many people used to commute between PCMC areas and Pune where also too many cases are there. The numbers of positive patients are increasing day by day. Therefore, there are chances of community stage transfer of the viral disease (COVID19). We need to take strict action to stop movement of people. Therefore, whole PCMC area is being declared as containment zone and it will be sealed till April 27. Also, there will be no relaxation from April 20 for resuming business of industries as it will lead to more movement of people”, states the order.

Now only police, PCMC officials and those engaged in essential services will be allowed movement. People will not be allowed to move out of their areas and nobody will be allowed entry. People will have to work from home or stay in their office/company. The previous passes issued by police for vehicle movement will be valid till April 22 only and after that PCMC will issue passes.