Number of cases in the country cross 62,000, numbers in Maharashtra

New Delhi/Mumbai: The number of Coronavirus cases in the country has crossed 62,000, whereas, the number of cases from Maharashtra alone has crossed 20,000. The Union Minister of Health, Dr Harsh Vardhan, said that this increase in the figures is because of the rise in the number of tests being conducted, and has expressed confidence that the numbers will reduce within a few weeks from now. He also said that the decision to increase the period of lockdown after 17th of May would be taken depending on the situation at that time. At the same time, it is reported that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will initiate a survey to confirm whether community transmission has started in the 75 districts where the spread of the virus is increasing.

The number of Coronavirus deaths in the country, between Friday night and Saturday morning is 200, taking the death count to 2,016. Also, 6,000 new cases have been reported in the same period. This brings the total number of cases in the country to 62,613. The pandemic claimed 48 lives in Maharashtra on Saturday, and 1,165 new cases were reported. Out of these, 722 cases were reported from Mumbai. 652 suspected cases have been placed under isolation.

The number of cases is increasing rapidly in some states and that too in a few districts. ICMR will be undertaking a survey campaign in the districts and cities that are labelled as hotspots of Coronavirus. The ICMR officials have informed that ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) kits will be used for this testing.

Meanwhile, the increased number of new cases is the result of increased screening for Coronavirus. As of today, nearly 80,000 tests are being conducted. Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the number would reach 100,000 tests per day by the end of May. The testing kits will be manufactured in the country on a massive scale in a few days. The Health Minister clarified that this would eliminate the need to import the kits from China. He also replied to the statement made by Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS, that the number of cases would peak in June. He said that he was not aware of what basis Dr Guleria had made this prediction. Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said that he was optimistic that the graph of Coronavirus would flatten and even decline in the next few weeks.