Maharashtra Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: Decision on inter-state, intra-state travel soon, says Anil Deshmukh

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh Sunday said that a decision on removal of restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement people and goods will be taken soon. Taking to Twitter, Deshmukh said, “We have taken note of the recent guidelines announced by the centre removing all restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of goods and people. Appropriate decision will be taken regarding the same after discussion with chief minister and deputy chief minister.”

The number of COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra's Thane district has gone up to 1,13,884 with 1,284 more people testing positive for the disease, a health official said on Sunday. The fatality count in the district has reached 3,240 as 26 more people succumbed to the viral infection on Saturday, he said. Kalyan town in the district has so far reported the maximum 26,405 COVID-19 cases, followed by Thane city-24,329 cases, Navi Mumbai-23,005 cases and Mira Bhayander township- 11,519 cases. The remaining cases have been reported from other parts of the district, the official said. (PTI)

A decision on allowing all journalists to travel in suburban trains in Mumbai, currently being operated for those employed in essential services, will be taken in the next two days, Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar said on Sunday. Wadettiwar, who heads Disaster Management portfolio, told reporters that his department had decided to allow all journalists who have to travel for news gathering to use local trains. 'A proposal has been sent to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray for clearance by the state Cabinetwhich will be done in two days,' the minister said. (PTI)

The licence of a hospital treating COVID-19 patients at Kalyan here in Maharashtra has been suspended for allegedly overcharging patients and violation of other government orders, an official said on Sunday. The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) had received several complaints from patients about Sridevi Hospital charging them exorbitant amounts, the civic body's spokesperson Madhuri Phophale said. Hence, on the directives of KDMC Commissioner Dr Vijay Suryavanshi, its licence was suspended on Saturday by Additional Municipal Commissioner Sunil Pawar till August 31 or till the hospital complies with the official orders, she said. (PTI)

Members of the entertainment industry, including filmmaker Boney Kapoor, actor-producer JD Majethia, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, on Sunday hailed the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for resuming shooting of films and TV programmes announced by the Centre. Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar announced guiding principles and SOPs on preventive measures for media production to contain the spread of coronavirus. These include measures such as social distancing and mandatory use of face cover or masks for cast and crew, except for actors in front of the camera. (PTI)

The Covid-19 tally in Maharashtra's Pune district rose to 1,42,461 with addition of 3,280 new cases in the last 24 hours, a health official said on Saturday. The cumulative toll mounted to 3,495 with 69 deaths, he said. "Of the total 3,280 cases, 1,577 patients are from the limits of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which now has 82,170 patients. With addition of 1,039 cases, the count in Pimpri Chinchwad area now stands at 40,898. The number of cases in rural, civil hospital and the Pune Cantonment Board area stands at 19,393," the official said. A total of 1,427 patients were discharged from hospitals in the day, he said.

The number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra's Thane district has gone up to 1,13,884 with 1,284 more people testing positive for the disease, a health official said on Sunday. The fatality count in the district has reached 3,240 as 26 more people succumbed to the viral infection on Saturday, he said. Kalyan town in the district has so far reported the maximum 26,405 coronavirus cases, followed by Thane city-24,329 cases, Navi Mumbai-23,005 cases and Mira Bhayander township-11,519 cases. The remaining cases have been reported from other parts of the district, the official said. On Saturday, Kalyan reported 421 new cases, followed by Navi Mumbai-398, Thane city-134 and Mira Bhayander-124 cases, he said. The official said Kalyan also reported the highest number of 10 deaths in one single day on Saturday.

To avoid gathering of crowds at ghats, the PMC has appealed to residents to immerse their Ganesha idols at home. Taking a cue from the PMC’s appeal, local NGO GreenGrowth Group has implemented Nirmal Ganeshotsav 2020 initiative. The NGO has collaborated with the PMC to ensure streamlined distribution of ammonium bicarbonate at various idol shops in the city. Speaking to The Indian Express, Yash Malwadkar, founder of Green Growth Group, said while they have carried out similar initiatives in the past, they felt with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic it was important to expand their work. “While the PMC has made arrangements for distribution of ammonium bicarbonate powder for safe immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols, our survey revealed that idol sellers were finding it hard to sell idols as there was no clarity on visarjan. We decided to help them by supplying the powder so that they can give it to customers along with idols. This also helps the PMC officials, who already have a lot on their plate with the rising Covid-19 cases in the city,” he said. Click here to read more.

Even though the state Election Commission is yet to take a decision on conducting bypolls in two vacant civic wards in Pimpri-Chinchwad, political parties and aspirants have started preparing for them. The pre-election arrangements, however, may spring a surprise as the NCP and BJP are likely to join hands in one of the two civic wards.The two civic seats fell vacant in July after two NCP corporators, Datta Sane and Javed Shaikh, succumbed to coronavirus disease. Click here to read more.

The process to formally appoint over 100 doctors at YCM Hospital and other hospitals run by the Pimpti-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has been stalled once again, as the civic general body on Friday postponed a decision on giving appointment letters to the doctors. The 103 doctors were selected through a rigorous procedure in February. “I have no clue why they are opposing the appointment of Covid warrior doctors…we are helpless…,” Municipal Commisisoner Shravan Hardikar told The Indian Express on Saturday. “Of the 103 doctors, 80 are already working with us on a contract basis. Twenty three of them, who are specialists, are yet to join as they have not been given appointment letters,” he said.

Laxmi Road, which is usally crowded with processions on Ganesh Chaturthi, wears a deserted look due to Covid-related restrictions, in Pune on Saturday. (Pavan Khengre)

Ganeshotsav, the biggest religious event in Pune, started on a restrained note on Saturday, amid social distancing, repeated sanitisation and other preventive measures to keep Covid-19 at bay. Ganesh mandals in Pune city, including the five famous ‘Manache Ganpati’, installed the idols in the presence of limited number of workers. Huge crowds, which throng pandals to watch the installation of the Ganesh idol, were conspicuously missing. Though the crowds were smaller and noise levels muted, devotees responded to the festival with their usual fervour. Unlike other years, there were no dhol tasha groups at the mandals, but the rituals were performed with traditional enthusiasm.

The count of COVID-19 cases in Nashik district of Maharashtra crossed the 29,000 mark and reached 29,335 on Saturday with addition of 912 patients, health officials said. The virus claimed six more lives, taking the toll to 761, they said. A total of 412 patients were discharged in the day, taking the number of recoveries in the district to 23,777, officials added. (PTI)

US Democratic vice-presidential candidate for 2020 elections, Kamala Harris too joined Joe Biden in extending Ganesh Chaturthi wishes.

Joining @JoeBiden in wishing everyone celebrating a very happy Ganesh Chaturthi. https://t.co/iYzangpfAS

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 22, 2020

The Covid-19 tally in Maharashtra rose to 6,71,942 on Saturday after 14,492 new cases were reported, the state health department said. With 297 new fatalities, the death toll due to the pandemic rose to 21,995.

US Democratic Presidential candidate for 2020 elections, Joe Biden shared wishes of Ganesh Chaturthi. Taking to Twitter, he wrote: "To everyone celebrating the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in the U.S., India, and around the world, may you overcome all obstacles, be blessed with wisdom, and find a path toward new beginnings."

To everyone celebrating the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in the U.S., India, and around the world, may you overcome all obstacles, be blessed with wisdom, and find a path toward new beginnings.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 22, 2020

For the first time in the country, anti-fibrotic drugs have been used to treat patients suffering from COVID-19-related lung fibrosis and breathlessness which has helped in the recovery of four such patients in Maharashtra's Pune, the Army has said. "The researchers at the Pune-based Army Institute of Cardiothoracic Sciences (AICTS) have found this therapy very effective in this subset of COVID-19 patients and they were safely tolerated as well. This is a novel strategy to tackle the lung fibrosis to treat subset of COVID-19 patients," the release said. (PTI)

Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit Nene wishes Ganesh Chaturthi sharing old photographs.

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Bappa's arrival will be a little different this year as we fight through the pandemic. I'm remembering moments from previous years' celebrations with friends, family & on sets.Wish you all a very blessed #GaneshChaturthi. Celebrate responsibly & stay safe? pic.twitter.com/jh6rSiV6sn

— Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) August 22, 2020

on the occassion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Bollywood director-producer Karan Johar tweeted: "May the power of Lord Ganesh protect you and your loved ones from all evil....may the power enhance all positivity and spread only love...please stay safe"

May the power of Lord Ganesh protect you and your loved ones from all evil....may the power enhance all positivity and spread only love...please stay safe??? pic.twitter.com/fx0dolkylE

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) August 22, 2020

Wishing Ganesh Chaturthi to all, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar wrote "Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you and your family. Please continue maintaining social distancing, avoid inviting people home and visiting people’s homes. May our Vighnaharta help us tide over these difficult times."

#HappyGaneshChaturthi to you and your family. Please continue maintaining social distancing, avoid inviting people home and visiting people’s homes. May our Vighnaharta help us tide over these difficult times ? Ganpati Bappa Morya! pic.twitter.com/t92scLsf2D

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 22, 2020

As the Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated amid curtailed festivities, Bollywood celebrities took to social media to wish their fans on the occassion. Taking to Twitter, superstar Amitabh Bachchan posted several pictures of himself and his son, actor Abhishek Bachchan, taking part in the festivities in the last few years. "Ganapati Bappa moreya..." he captioned the photos.

T 3634 - Ganapati Bappa moreya .. pic.twitter.com/zxmjvpJ8Vt

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) August 21, 2020

Uddhav Thackeray's message to people on auspiscious occassion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

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CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’s message to the people of Maharashtra on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi pic.twitter.com/YSjCXBhaen

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 22, 2020

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said people should not forget their social responsibility of wearing masks and avoiding crowding while welcoming Lord Ganesh. Thackeray also said he prayed to Lord Ganesh to rid the world of the coronavirus pandemic on the first day of the 10-day festival. Speaking after performing Ganesh puja at his official residence 'Varsha' here, the chief minister said Lord Ganesh, who is the remover of obstacles and bestower of happiness, was watching how his devotees were welcoming him by keeping in mind their social responsibility during the pandemic. (PTI)

(Photo: Twitter @Office of Uddhav Thackeray)

The idols of the five `Manache Ganapati' (pre-eminent Ganeshas) were installed in the city on Saturday as the historic Ganesh festival began under the shadow of coronavirus. Kasba, Tambdi Jogeshwari, Guruji Talim, Tulshibag and Kesriwada are traditionally considered as the five `Manache Ganapati' of the city. They also take precedence in the immersion procession. Many other `mandals' (groups which celebrate the 11- day festival by putting up pandals) also installed idols on Ganesh Chaturthi on Saturday, but the usual exuberance, crowds, noise and high-decibel music were missing. Several mandals uploaded videos of the installation ceremony on social media. (PTI)

Amidst the coronavirus crisis, technology is come as a rescue to devotees and pandals who are using social media to pay virtual 'darshan' to Lord Ganesh during the 10-day festival which started on Saturday, pti reported. A number of people are using various applications to connect with their family members and friends, as physical movements are restricted owing to the viral outbreak. On the first day of the festival, many people as well as prominent Ganesh pandals took to social media to send invites for online 'aartis' and consecration of idols.

In view of the restrictions, the number of people visiting the market to buy Ganpati idols for installation in their houses, housing societies and sarvajanik pandals, was limited in Mumbai, PTI reported. The usual spirit and fervour of the festival was relatively low this year. Due to the subdued celebrations, small businesses of that thrive during the festival, like flower vendors, sweet shops, outlets selling decoration items, immitation jewellery, transporters took a hit. The pandemic also affected several others, including artistes and transporters. However, in some popular market places like Dadar in central Mumbai, people still came out in large numbers to purchase material required for decoration, puja rituals in the last couple of days.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today offered prayers to Lord Ganesha at his residence in Mumbai.

Maharashtra: Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray offers prayers to Lord Ganesha at his residence in Mumbai, on the occasion of #GaneshChaturthi today. pic.twitter.com/VesvsCqRMb

— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2020

A Pune-based startup that works with 800 weaving families across India to make handloom saris has posted a revenue of Rs 3.20 crore in July, exceeding its projection by three times and defying the grim global business environment. “At times like this, some strategies need to change. A lot depends on how smartly you navigate the situation and convert the pandemic into an opportunity. For us, almost all deliveries were shut and business was down from the beginning of March till the end of May, but right now, our workshop is buzzing and we are delivering 200-300 orders per day, which is three times our pre-Covid figures,” says Pallavi Mohadikar Patwari, who founded Karagiri with her husband, Dr Amol Patwari, in 2017. In an interview, she talks about essaying the turnaround and corporate responsibility towards handloom artisans. Cick here to read. 

Maharashtra’s 108 ambulances have assisted as many as 4.42 lakh people in both Covid-19 and non-Covid emergencies since March with the highest number of patients served from Mumbai and Pune. Till August 15, more than 900 ambulances have been pressed into service and 158 drivers have been hospitalised or sent to home isolation due to Covid-19. Two state EMS ambulance drivers have also succumbed to Covid-19. From March till August 15, at least 34,490 people from Mumbai and 31,489 from Pune have been assisted by ambulance.

Citing the increasing number of Covid-19 patients in rural parts of Pune, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday directed the district administration to give special attention to check the spread of infection in both rural and urban parts of the district. “The coronavirus infection is spreading in the rural parts of the district. It is necessary to bring a check on it at any cost in the rural area, along with the urban area. Everyone should give special attention to handle the situation,” Pawar said during a meeting to review the situation of pandemic in the district. He directed officials to ensure that there should be no shortage of beds for treatment of Covid-19 patients while taking efforts to reduce the positivity and fatality rates in the district.

Acting on complaints of inflated bills of Covid-19 treatment in private hospitals, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has deducted a total of Rs 25.69 lakh in the last seven days after inspecting bills of 48 patients. There had been many complaints about private hospitals levying inflated bills of huge amounts for the treatment of Covid-19 patients in the city. The district administration appointed senior administrative officers and medical officers for the inspection of bills above Rs 1.5 lakh within one hour of when they were prepared by respective hospitals. “There were 68 complaints of inflated bills in the last seven days, with a total amount of Rs 1.71 crore,” said Pune Mayor Murlidhar Mohol. “The inspection of bills was done, and a total deduction of Rs 25.69 lakh was enforced on 48 bills.”

The committee appointed by the state government to look into the alleged inflated bill given to Covid-19 patients has asked the Aditya Birla Hospital to refund Rs 5 lakh to 25 patients who underwent treatment at the hospital. Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial (YCM) Hospital’s deputy medical superintendent Dr Shankar Jadhav, who heads the audit team of the government-appointed committee, said the hospital has been asked to refund the amount as they found it has “overcharged patients”. “On Thursday, we sent them a letter to this effect. The hospital told us they will get back to us by Saturday,” Dr Jadhav told The Indian Express.

Every year on Ganesh Chaturthi, when ‘Mumbai cha Raja’ is brought to Ganesh Gully, in Mumbai’s Lalbaug area, the idol is welcomed by huge crowds of the faithful and deep-throated chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya”. Not this year. On Friday, a day ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival that kicks off the 10-day Ganeshotsav celebrations, the pandal is almost deserted, except for a few volunteers and workers milling around in masks. As the city’s Covid count climbs steadily, the Ganesh pandals, a defining feature of Mumbai’s streets around this time of the year, are bracing for low-key celebrations. While the larger pandals usually see upwards of 400 visitors a day, this year, the organisers are urging devotees to stay at home, promising to live-stream proceedings on social media platforms.

As many as 264 doctors have died of Covid-19 so far across the country, according to Indian Medical Association (IMA). Dr R V Asokan, honorary national secretary general of IMA, said with rising cases, number of fatalities was likely to increase by mid October. A dedicated team at IMA has been collating data from over 1,700 branches in India and the same has been sent to the Centre. According to the IMA, till August 21, a total of 1,953 doctors have been infected, including 890 practising doctors, 767 resident doctors and 296 house surgeons. IMA authorities said the cases included those reported by IMA branches across the country, adding that a red alert among the medical community to take care and follow guidelines had been issued.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has reverted 72 small hospitals and nursing homes in the city into non-Covid facilities and reduced at least 1,800 beds under Covid treatment to cater to rising monsoon ailments. Of the 1,800 beds reverted back to normal beds, 400 are intensive care units. Senior civic officials said they want to keep small hospitals’ beds free for people suffering from dengue, malaria, leptospirosis so that patients have a health facility in the neighbourhood to get admitted in. The BMC was also noticing treatment difficulties to manage Covid-19 patients in smaller hospitals and nursing homes where there is limited staff and logistic issues. “We are keeping jumbo facilities and tertiary care hospitals for Covid-19 patients. We can manage coronavirus cases with existing bed capacity. Smaller hospitals can focus on monsoon ailments,” said Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner.

The Mumbai police have beefed up security to keep a hawk-eyed vigil in the city amid Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, an official said. "Apart from the local police, a company of Rapid Action Force, three companies of State Reserve Police Force, local arms and riot control police have been deployed in the city," an official told news agency PTI. Quick response teams, bomb disposal squads and anti-terrorism cells have also been put on alert to prevent any untoward incident, he added. According to him, local police stations will provide security cover to Ganesh pandals in their areas, while an additional deployment of 30 police personnel will be present at the city's famous Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh pandal. "Moreover, the police will monitor the happenings in the city with the help of 5,000 CCTV cameras and also use drones for aerial surveillance," he said, adding that personnel in plain clothes have been manning markets as well. Besides, Muharram is also being observed in a simple manner as the government has not allowed processions in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, he added.

On account of a well-marked low-pressure area and a shifting monsoon trough, the India Meteorological Department on Friday predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Mumbai and neighbouring Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts over the next 24 hours with gusty winds. An orange alert indicating heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for Saturday for Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts. “A well-marked low-pressure area over east Madhya Pradesh and adjoining north Chhattisgarh now lies over central part of east Madhya Pradesh and neighbourhood. It is very likely to gradually move nearly westwards across west Madhya Pradesh in next 3-4 days. Under the influence, Southwest monsoon flow had strengthened over the Arabian Sea resulting in enhancement of rainfall activity,” said IMD’s evening bulletin.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation revised its home isolation guidelines again Friday to allow coronavirus-afflicted patients aged above 50 years to observe quarantine at home or opt for government or private hospitals. Civic officials said they will only “counsel” patients from the age group to seek institutional isolation at Covid Care Centres, but not make it mandatory. On Wednesday, BMC’s executive health officer Dr Mangala Gomare had issued guidelines to all assistant commissioners stating “no home isolation should be allowed” for Covid-19 patients aged above 50 years, irrespective of their symptoms and co-morbidities. “A lot of people said there will be fear in getting tested if institutional quarantine is made compulsory. We have changed the wordings of the guidelines. Our health workers will try and counsel patients for institutional quarantine,” Gomare said Friday.

The Supreme Court’s decision to allow three Jain temples of Shri Parshwatilak Shwetambar Murtipujak Tapagacch Jain Trust to remain open for Paryushan festivities for the remaining two days was welcomed by the Jain community. Leaders from the community, however, also sought a further relaxation to allow all Jain temples to remain open. The state government has said while it will implement the apex court’s order, there were no plans of allowing further relaxation to any religious place in Maharashtra. “Partly, we have got success but our main prayer was for the benefit of the entire Jain community of Mumbai and MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region). Unfortunately, other religious trusts did not approach the court. Hence, they have not got relief. If the state can allow commercial activities, then why not worship at religious places?” said Yugbhushansuri Pandit Maharaj Saheb of Shri Parshwatilak Shwetamber Jain Sangh, Tilak Nagar, which will be opened starting Saturday.

The Supreme Court Friday allowed three Jain temples in Mumbai to open for two days of the holy Paryushan season with strict adherence to Covid-19 control protocols. It wondered why the government, which is allowing activities where money is involved, has a different stand in matters of religion. “We find it very strange that every activity they are allowing involves commercial interests. They are willing to take the risk when money is involved but when it comes to religion, they say there is Covid and we can’t do this or that,” Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, heading a three-judge bench, said while allowing the Jain temples in Dadar (West), Byculla and Chembur to open on August 22 and 23 “for devotees to perform the rituals connected with Paryushan”.

There are 1,64,562 active coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, while 34,92,966 people have been tested so far. Currently, 11,92,685 people are in home quarantine and 35,132 in institutional quarantine. Also, 11,749 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, taking the number of recovered cases to 4,70,873. The recovery rate in the state is 71.62 percent while the case fatality rate is 3.30 percent.

Extending his greetings on the occassion of Ganesh festival to the citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "Greetings on the auspicious festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. May the blessings of Bhagwan Shri Ganesh always be upon us. May there be joy and prosperity all over." 

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Greetings on the auspicious festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. May the blessings of Bhagwan Shri Ganesh always be upon us. May there be joy and prosperity all over.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 22, 2020

Welcome to our live blog. We are looking at the coronavirus situation, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and the weather developments today. The Covid-19 tally in Maharashtra rose to 6,57,450 on Friday after 14,161 new cases were reported, the state health department said. On the other hand, Ganesh pandals wore a deserted look as the 10-day celebrations for Ganeshotsav began across the state today. Follow this space for more updates.