NEW DELHI: An analysis of official data states that Maharashtra, which is the state worst hit by COVID in India, adds more than 2000 COVID-19 cases every hour to the tally. It shows that 2859 people are getting infected by the novel coronavirus every minute and a person succumbs to death every three minute on an average. Maharashtra added almost 68,631 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, April 18, according to the daily heath bulletin by Department of Health.
Maharashtra also reported 503 new deaths, taking the total tally to 60,473. The state is functioning under strict COVID-19 restrictions, including a weekend lockdown. Due to shortage of oxygen in the state, Indian Railways has announced ‘oxygen express’ trains which will transport liquid medical oxygen and cylinders to various destinations.
Rajesh Tope, Minister of Health, Government of Maharashtra, claimed on Sunday, April 18, that no COVID-19 patient has died due to the shortage of medical oxygen in the state. He added that some fatalities have occurred due to delay on the patients’ end.