Night curfew in Amravati, stricter norms in Akola

NAGPUR: There was no let up from the Covid surge in Amravati and Nagpur with both the districts reporting just under 500 new cases on Monday. Vidarbha reported 1,244 new cases in a day, with Nagpur and Amravati districts together contributing 947 (76%).
Alarmed by the growing number of cases in Amravati, the district administration has imposed a night curfew. In Akola, nearly 40% samples tested positive on Monday.District collector Jitendra Papalkar issued a restraining order till February 28 in urban and rural areas of Akola.
However, in both districts, administration has ruled out possibility of a fresh lockdown.
“The curfew is aimed at controlling crowding at public and market places. It does not mean closing down businesses or markets, which will function as usual,” said Amravati district collector Shailesh Naval.
The orders are stricter in Akola. “Crowd of five or more people has been banned. Only 50 persons will be allowed for religious processions, festivals, ceremonies, get-togethers, mass events, meetings, gatherings and weddings. Big processions and rallies have been banned,” said Papalkar. Schools, colleges and coaching classes will be shut.
Amravati reported 449 cases and four deaths on Monday. Nagpur reported 498 cases and six deaths, including two patients coming from other divisions/states. Wardha reported two deaths and Akola one.
Buldhana (129) and Akola (86) were the two other districts reporting more than 50 cases.
In some relief, seven out of 11 districts reported less than 50 cases, with six of them reporting 10 or even less cases. Yavatmal reported 34, Bhandara (10), Wardha (10), Gondia (10), Gadchiroli (9), Washim (5), and Chandrapur (4).
Day’s 825 recoveries came from Nagpur (281), Amravati (336), Wardha (52), Akola (50), Buldhana (30), Yavatmal (29), Bhandara (21), Washim (12), Gondia (10), Gadchiroli (4) while Chandrapur did not report any recovery.
Out of the 2.86 lakh reported patients, 2.70 lakh have recovered in the region whose recovery rate is 94.5%. The fresh surge has brought it down in the last eight days.
Maharashtra state average recovery rate is nearing 96% while the national average recovery rate is more than 97%. Case fatality rate of Vidarbha is 2.48%, which is equal to state average.
More than 8540 patients are under treatment in Vidarbha, including 75% in home isolation.