Sharp Rise in COVID-19 Cases in Maharashtra; Mumbai Accounts for Majority of Infections
Mumbai, 20th May 2025: Maharashtra has recorded a notable increase in COVID-19 cases this month, with 80 new infections reported in May alone—up significantly from just four cases in April. The state health department’s latest data shows Mumbai emerging as the primary hotspot, while Pune has logged one infection that is yet to be reflected in the state bulletin.
Between May 12 and May 18, the state saw 53 new cases—the highest weekly tally this year. Since January, Maharashtra has reported a total of 87 COVID-19 cases, with over 90% of them recorded in May. So far, no fatalities have been linked to the current surge.
The sudden spike has also affected the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate. Maharashtra, which maintained an average positivity rate of 1.1% through 2024, saw that figure jump to 12% in May—a significant rise compared to just 0.6% in April. Of the 673 individuals tested this month, 80 returned positive results, with 24 already having recovered.
All newly reported infections are from Mumbai, according to the health department’s bulletin issued Monday. Currently, 53 individuals with mild symptoms are recovering at home under isolation protocols.
A senior health official said the spike appears to be isolated to urban pockets like Mumbai and does not yet indicate widespread transmission. “We are monitoring the situation closely. The rise in cases is being taken seriously, but there is no cause for panic at this stage,” the official added.
Despite the uptick, the overall case numbers remain low compared to previous years, and public health experts believe existing vaccination coverage and natural immunity are helping to keep severe cases at bay.
