In March, Maharashtra added 88% of COVID cases recorded in previous 5 months

Maharashtra has added a total of 651,513 COVID-19 cases in March this year and it accounts for 88.23% of the total number of cases reported from October to February, reported PTI. 

The state recorded 738,377 cases of coronavirus between October 1 last year and February 28, 2021. According to experts, one of the main reasons for the spike is because of people not “following COVID-appropriate behaviour.”

Several people have not been maintaining social distance and do not wear masks, exposing themselves to the infection, said the experts.

Also read: 3rd phase of COVID-19 vaccination begins

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A member of the state COVID-19 task force said, “There have been several discussions among state officials and ministers about increasing the fine amount for people not wearing masks. It could put some pressure, but the government does not want to use an iron fist to ensure people adhere to the guidelines.”

According to another senior state health official, people cannot be pressurised after a certain limit. She said, “The labour class (low income group) in the state is desperate to go out to work. Same is the situation with micro, small and medium industries. They are labour-dominated sectors and we cannot stop people from travelling.”

A  government health official said hygiene is a “delicate and lifestyle-related issue” and its definition varies from person to person. The official added that people get irritated if you insist on washing hands every time they go out of their workplace or office.

He said, “It is the case of either an utmost level of hygiene or nothing. One incident of delaying washing hands or not covering face sufficiently can lead to the coronavirus infection.”

As per another official, living under such constant fear also leads to other psychological complications. She said, “We have observed people following COVID-appropriate behaviour for one week to three weeks and later becoming careless. That is the time when they catch the infection.”

In a letter to Maharashtra’s chief secretary, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan mentioned similar reasons. He further expressed the need for surveillance of COVID-19 patients who do not follow home quarantine protocols.