COVID-19 Lockdown: Lockdown after Gudipadva?;preparation of SOPs and guidelines begins

Maharashtra continues to report highest number of covid cases. A total of 9,989 new positive cases and 58 deaths were reported in Mumbai on Sunday.

Amid rising cases, Maharashtra government is considering locdown imposition in the state to curb the spread of the disease. There is no alternative to lockdown to stem the new wave of corona, without which the number of cases is difficult to control, a clear role was taken by the expert doctors of the task force in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday.

Some of the stakeholders in the meeting were of view that the lockdown must be for two weeks, some were in favour of three weeks but at least 8 days lockdown to be imposed and lockdown is a must.

After the meeting with the experts in the task force, the administration has already started to work on preparing SOPs and guidelines. SOPs and guidelines for the lockdown will be discussed in the today's meeting," Aslam Sheikh said.

Members of the task force have recommended a 14-day to three-week lockdown to break the chain of transmission. Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the decision on the lockdown would be taken at a cabinet meeting after April 14.

In the meeting held with the state task force, the Chief Minister discussed in detail various issues including availability of beds, use of Remdesivir and imposition of restrictions, availability of oxygen, treatment methods, enhancement of facilities.

Health Minister Rajesh Tope, Medical Education Minister Amit Deshmukh, Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Ashish Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikas Kharge, Dr. Sanjay Oak of the Task Force, Dr. Shashank Joshi, Dr. Avinash Supe, Dr. Udwadia, Dr. Vasant Nagvekar, Dr. Rahul Pandit, Dr. Zaheer Virani, Dr. Om Srivastava, Dr. Tatyarao Lahane, Principal Secretary Health Dr. Pradeep Vyas, Medical Education Secretary Sourav were present in the meeting.

"Immediate action should be taken to set up an oxygen plant, increase beds and other medical facilities, provide Remdesivir, increase vaccinations and especially vaccinate all health workers," CM said. He also said that he would once again request the Prime Minister to supply more vaccines to Maharashtra to increase vaccination.