Most big hospitals in Pune are treating at least one case of an invasive fungal infection called mucormycosis or aspergillosis every day. This is because a combination of diabetes, Covid-19 and a standard approach to steroid use has caused an upsurge in invasive fungal infections during the pandemic. Public health experts in the region have questioned the move by the state health department to prioritise vaccinations of the 18-44 group over the 45-plus population, which they said is more at risk of developing severe Covid-19. Hospitals across PMR continued to face shortage of essential medicines for the fourth consecutive week, though the situation has slowly started improving in terms of oxygen supply. A 50% increase in the number of ICU beds in the Pune Metropolitan Region has still not resolved the problem of shortages. On April 1, Pune city had 469 ventilator-supported ICU beds, which increased to 776 by May 3. But no beds were available on both days, data showed. Stay with TOI for all the latest updates:Read Less
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to procure 20 ventilators.
Maharashtra reports 51,880 new Covid-19 cases and 891 deaths
15 Maharashtra districts showing decline in Covid-19 cases: Rajesh Tope
Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope on Tuesday said 15 districts, including Mumbai and Thane, are showing a decline in daily Covid-19 cases, but other districts are still exhibiting an upward trend in the state.
Read moreMumbai reports 2,554 new Covid-19 cases, 5,240 recoveries and 62 deaths in the last 24 hours; case tally at 6,61,420 and active cases at 51,380. (ANI)
Private hospitals in Pune await guidelines on vaccine procurement
Several private hospitals in Pune are awaiting clear guidelines from the government over procurement of vaccine doses and conducting the vaccination drive which remains suspended due to unavailability of doses. (PTI)
Mumbai hospital carries out deliveries of 1,001 coronavirus-infected mothers amid pandemic
Even as Covid-19 deaths continue to dominate the headlines, a civic-run hospital in south Mumbai has successfully delivered babies of 1,001 Covid-19 patients amid the pandemic, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said on Tuesday.
Read moreFew centres were closed yesterday due to doses' shortage. Got 9 lakh vials today, to last for 2-3 days. One lakh inoculated so far in 18-44 age group. Order placed for 18.5 lakh vaccines (Covishield & Covaxin). In talks with Dr Reddy's to procure Sputnik V: Maharashtra health minister
Western Railway converts train coaches into isolation wards at platform 3 of Palghar station.
Positivity rate in state has dropped from 27 to 22%. We're testing 2.80 lakh people daily & there's been no shortage in testing. From 63,000, tally for Covid patients have come down to 61,000. At 84.07%, our recovery rate is highest in country: Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope
Maharashtra: Garbage vehicle takes Covid-19 patient's body to crematorium due to unavailability of ambulances
A garbage vehicle was used to transport a Covid-19 patient's body to a crematorium, after ambulances were unavailable and private vehicles refused to help despite offers of extra money in Maharashtra's Osmanabad district, an official said on Tuesday.
Covid third wave may hit kids, BMC prepares pediatric wards
Preparing for a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic which is expected to hit kids, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra government are gearing up by setting up pediatric Covid care wards in the city and elsewhere, officials said on Tuesday.
Read moreMumbai: Drive-in Covid vaccination centre for senior citizens, disabled at multi-level parking
Kolhapur administration imposes 10-day strict lockdown in the city from 11am tomorrow. Only milk and medicine supplies will be allowed.
I assure you that we are taking an oxygen audit in every district to contain demand in every possible manner. However, considering this situation of rising medical oxygen demand I request you that present allocation of the State be enhanced by at least 200 MT.
The letter further stated that 16 Maharashtra districts -- Palghar, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Solapur, Nandurbar, Beed, Parbhani, Hingoli, Amravati, Buldhana, Wardha, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur -- are showing continuous growth in Covid active cases and oxygen requirement.
Sitaram Kunte mentioned in his letter that Maharashtra continues to face onslaught of second wave of Covid pandemic with current active caseload of 6,63,758, of which 78,884 cases admitted are on medical oxygen including 24,787 in ICU.
Maharashtra chief secretary Sitaram Kunte writes to Union cabinet secretary to enhance liquid oxygen allocation to Maharashtra as 16 districts in the state saw continuous growth in Covid cases.
Kolhapur administration imposes strict lockdown from Wednesday onwards for ten days to bring the spread of Covid under control. The lockdown will start from 11.00am onwards tomorrow.
No check on Covid deaths despite drop in fresh case
Although the number of new Covid cases have stabilized across Aurangabad district, the unchecked deaths due to the infection remain a matter of concern for the health authorities. As per official data, on an average 20 to 30 deaths due to Covid are being reported daily in the district where progressive count of causalities has reached up to 2,557 till Monday.
32-yr-old IRS officer dies due to Covid
Anant Tambe, a 32-year-old Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, died due to Covid-19. Tambe, who was serving as additional personal secretary to Union minister Prakash Javadekar, had tested positive on April 16. Dinkar Shinde, Tambe’s cousin, said the officer had opted for home isolation as he did not have any major symptoms. “He had light fever and bit of cough. His health, however, started deteriorating during home isolation following which he was shifted to a private hospital,” he said.