Coronavirus ground zero shifts to Nagpur, Latur regions from Mumbai metropolitan region

MUMBAI: The epicentre of the pandemic in Maharashtra has moved towards Vidarbha and Marathwada in August from the initial hotspots of Mumbai, Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Pune, shows state data.

A TOI analysis of the growth in Covid-19 cases between July and August has revealed a 341% rise in the Nagpur circle of Vidarbha and 266% in Marathwada's Latur circle. By contrast, Thane circle, which includes Mumbai and nine neighbouring municipal corporations, was the only one to register a negative growth with 36% dip in cases and 30% in deaths.
Nagpur registered not just a massive surge in cases but a nine-fold jump in deaths too, becoming one of the worst-hit regions in the state in August, while Latur, too, saw a doubling of deaths from July. Outside of Vidarbha and Marathwada, Kolhapur circle in western Maharashtra that comprises Sangli and Ratnagiri districts, too, saw a 215% jump in cases, the third highest among the eight revenue circles the state is divided into. Deaths in Kolhapur, too, jumped three-fold, from 184 in July to 743 till August 25.
Nashik and Akola circles registered a 98% and 61% increase in cases, respectively, and over 30% deaths each. Akola that has witnessed over 420 deaths was relying on Nagpur's medical infrastructure till the orange city began to see its own surge. Aurangabad circle was the only one other than Thane to register a decline in deaths (21%) between July and August, in sync with its low growth in cases at 9%.
Cases and deaths increased by leaps and bounds in Nagpur that till July 31 had 4,413 cases and 65 deaths. "The deluge of deaths started from the first week of August and caught us by surprise. Nagpur is now reporting as many cases as Mumbai if not more," said a senior doctor from the Government Medical College, Nagpur. In 25 days of August, while cases had risen to 19,483 and deaths to 586-an 800% increase from July. As many as 502 deaths came from Nagpur city alone. Nagpur municipal commissioner Tukaram Munde, who is recovering from Covid himself, was transferred on Wednesday. Nagpur's caseload on Wednesday stood at 27,215.
Nagpur district collector Ravindra Thakare attributed 70% of the deaths in August to late reporting "due to fear and stigma related to Covid-19. They reach us in a critical condition". An official from one of the two government hospitals in Nagpur told TOI over 50% deaths have taken place within 24 to 48 hours of reporting to hospitals.
The doctor from GMC Nagpur said a quarter of the patients were brought dead to the hospital. The doctor added Vidarbha region was catered to by nine medical colleges and there was an ample stock of drugs.
Another official said opening up of sectors and increase in movement is the key reason for the spread in these smaller cities. "In the Latur division which includes districts like Nanded, Beed and Osmanabad are big market areas," said an official. Another official said private hospitals in these smaller cities admit critical patients without having adequate infrastructure. A senior state official said the spread to districts lining highways was anticipated. "Mumbai, followed by MMR and Pune, was the starting point and the natural trajectory would mean spread to Tier-II cities. Our reading is it could move to Chhattisgarh, MP and Bihar from here."