In Maharashtra, as Corona virus positive cases crossed the thousand mark, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that a decision on extending the lockdown will be taken post 14th of April when the current lockdown ends. The Chief Minister yesterday chaired a State Cabinet meeting via video conferencing and took stock of the available medical infrastructure like testing kits, medicines and essential commodities.
In view of the pandemic, the State Government decided to extend the scheme to Taluka level and provide Shiv Bhojan Thali at a reduced price of five rupees for the next three months. Currently, nearly one lakh Thalis are being served under the scheme. It was further decided to provide food grains to orange ration cardholders till June at concessional rates. It was also decided to amend the Maharashtra Charity Management Act to avail financial assistance from charitable trusts to fight the Corona virus outbreak.
Maharashtra has become the first state in the country to report more than 1,000 Corona virus cases with the total number of affected people in the state rising to 1,018. Out of 150 new cases reported yesterday, at least 116 were reported from Mumbai, taking the total number of positive cases in the city to 590. But, the spread of the disease in Dharavi, the biggest slum in Asia has been a matter of concern as two more positive cases were found yesterday.
Similarly, the participants of Tablighi Markaz at Nizmuddin are also adding to the worries as 50 to 60 participants who returned to the state are still missing and not ready to reveal their identity. AIR Correspondent reports that Dharavi is increasing worries of the BMC and State Government. Health Minister Rajesh Tope visited Dharavi along with Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad who is the MLA from Dharavi. He took stock of the situation and directed to increase the number of ventilators in the dedicated COVID-19 hospital in the area.
On the other hand, 50 to 60 participants of Tablighi Markaz, who returned to Maharashtra are still missing and they have switched off their phones. Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has asked them to come forward immediately and visit the nearest Police Station and also do the necessary health check-up. He has warned of strict action by the Police if those participants fail to do so.
All the zoos, national parks and sanctuaries in Maharashtra have been asked to remain vigil after a tiger in United States tested positive for Corona virus. The facilities have been asked to strictly follow the guidelines released by Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to avoid spread of the virus from humans to animals. There are about 300 tigers in the state while a staff of over 25,000 looks after 50 national parks and sanctuaries in the state.
Even though the places are closed for tourists till 30th of April, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Sunil Limaye said that staff members have been asked to maintain personal hygiene and social distancing. He said, the entire area is to be sanitized with sodium hypochlorite and staff has been further asked to report to the veterinary officer, if they find anything unusual. They have also been asked to enhance disease surveillance, mapping and monitoring system.
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