Rajesh Tope | Business Upturn

Maharashtra govt eases COVID-19 restrictions in 25 districts

Diya S. — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 14:07:34 +0000

On July 29, Maharashtra’s Health Minister Rajesh Tope announced certain relaxations of coronavirus-led restrictions applicable to 25 districts of the state.

According to Tope, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will make a final decision on the suggestions proposed by the COVID Task Force. He stated, “Today, in the COVID Task Force meeting, Chief Minister will take the final call on our suggestions. We have suggested that COVID relaxation should be given to 25 districts where the positivity rate is much lower than the state average.”

The districts with low COVID-19 positivity rates will be allowed to open up shops, theatres, cinema halls, and gyms. Timings for hotels and shops have been increased till 8-9 pm and can operate with a capacity of 50 per cent. The staff needs to be fully vaccinated.

Places are permitted to function on Saturdays but restrictions for Sundays will remain in place. Furthermore, the Health Minister informed that detailed guidelines will be available in the next two to three days.

Restrictions imposed on marriage functions and related gatherings will continue to exist. Tope added that the use of air-conditioned halls should be discouraged.

The state has been witnessing a fall in a daily count of COVID-19 infections. On Wednesday, it reported a total of 6,857 new cases with 286 fatalities and 6,105 patients recovering from the virus.

Rajesh Tope: No RT-PCR report to be shown by fully vaccinated persons to visit Maharashtra

Nishita Sharma — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 15:20:05 +0000

On Wednesday, the Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope announced that passengers will have to carry their Vaccination certificates of both doses and if required a Negative RT-PCR will be required to visit Maharashtra.

Tope released a statement which stated that, “Passengers who have taken two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine can land at any airport in Maharashtra without showing a negative RT-PCR report. However, they should have certificates stating they have taken both the doses.”

Till now, while traveling or visiting Maharashtra, it was mandatory for a negative RT-PCR test report. This test had to be taken 48 hours prior to the travel.

On Tuesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation wrote a petition to the Maharashtra government that the mandatory rule on showing a negative RT-PCR test report must be relaxed for fully vaccinated passengers travelling to Mumbai.

BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal wrote a letter to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte read the letter as, “Domestic passengers who are fully vaccinated may be exempted from carrying a negative test report while arriving in the city of Mumbai.”

As per Official reports, a negative RT-PCR report should be taken 48 hours prior to the journey was mandatory for all passengers arriving at the Mumbai International Airport earlier this year.

The Health Minister said the government is getting a similar demand to relax RT-PCR norm for passengers travelling to Maharashtra via bus and trains as well, later it said that, “The chief minister will take a final call on this.”

Maharashtra to get 18 lakh COVID vaccine doses in May: Health Minister Rajesh Tope

Shreejit Shelar — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 17:54:29 +0000

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Friday stated that Covid-19 vaccine makers informed the state government that up to 18-lakh vaccine doses could be provided to the state in May, reported PTI.

“We have been told by the vaccine makers that up to 18 lakh doses could be supplied to Maharashtra in the month of May. In that situation, the state is planning to set up one centre per district to inoculate people,” Health Minister Rajesh Tope said in a press conference.

Earlier this week, the Maharashtra government announced the nationwide exercise of vaccinating people from the 18-44 age group cannot be launched in the state on the first day of May as it does not have enough quantities of vaccines.

Commenting about the 18-44 age group vaccination drive, he said, “We need to reduce the number of vaccination centres so that they administer the doses on a daily basis in a smooth manner.”

According to the NDTV reports, the Maharashtra Health Minister suggested that people should visit the vaccination centres after taking prior appointments. “It will avoid crowding and everyone will get doses,” he added.

“Unless we get an adequate supply of vaccines, we cannot increase the coverage of the population in terms of their vaccination,” Rajesh Tope said.

Speaking over the vaccine procurement policy the Maharashtra Health Minister said, “the centre is going to buy 50 per cent of the total vials produced by the manufacturers.”

He added, “now, the crucial question is who should get the vaccines from the remaining 50 per cent quota, which the Centre has allowed to be sold directly to the state governments and hospitals. I think the central government will have to intervene here as well.”

While India has been grappling with the Covid-19 cases, efforts are being made to curb the spread of the virus. In the midst of a devastating second wave of coronavirus, the nation is witnessing an unprecedented spike in cases and deaths.
Meanwhile, several states have recorded a spike in Covid-19 cases, and it is speculated that there will be more demand for vaccines.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope added that the central government needs to come up with some policy so that every state gets an equal share of doses.

Nashik Oxygen Tank Leak: PM Modi claims it ‘heart-wrenching’ tragedy, as death toll reaches to 22

News Desk — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 11:19:01 +0000

The misfortune occurred sometime around noon. Massive leakage from an oxygen tank caused disruption in vital oxygen supply for at least half an hour, which allegedly resulted in the deaths of several patients who were on ventilator support. A fire brigade team as well as technicians rushed to the spot.

Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “The tragedy at a hospital in Nashik because of oxygen tank leakage is heart-wrenching. Anguished by the loss of lives due to it. Condolences to the bereaved families in this sad hour.”

The tragedy at a hospital in Nashik because of oxygen tank leakage is heart-wrenching. Anguished by the loss of lives due to it. Condolences to the bereaved families in this sad hour.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2021

Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) Commissioner Kailas Jadhav said there were around 150 patients – of whom 127 were on oxygen and the remaining 23 on ventilator.

“This is an extremely unfortunate incident. Our priority at the moment is to save those on life support. There will be a high-level inquiry to probe whether the tank was properly maintained or not. I cannot comment on it at the moment,” said Mr. Jadhav.

“It’s an unfortunate incident. As per preliminary info, we’ve learnt that 11 people died. We’re trying to get a detailed report. We’ve ordered an enquiry as well. Those who are responsible will not be spared,” said FDA Minister Dr Rajendra Shingane on Nashik Oxygen tanker leak incident.

But now the report are coming that, at least 22 COVID-19 patients were reported to have lost their lives on Wednesday at Nashik’s Dr. Zakir Hussain Hospital owing to acute shortage of oxygen following massive leakage from a tank. Confirming the deaths, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said a probe would be ordered into the incident.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has also reacted to this incident and said, “This is an unfortunate incident. I spoke to Nashik municipal commissioner who has informed me that the situation is under control now. I’ll be going to Nashik soon. Nashik Guardian Min Chhagan Bhujbal has already gone there.”

Meanwhile, Former Maharashtra CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis has also reacted to the Nashik Oxygen tanker gas leak– “What happened in Nashik is terrible. It’s being said that 11 people died which is very disturbing. I demand that the other patients be helped & shifted if needed. We demand a detailed inquiry,” as quoted by ANI.

On the other side, CMO Maharashtra has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs to kin of the deceased and a high-level inquiry has been ordered to probe the Nashik incident.

“Only 7.5 lakh Covid-19 vaccine dosages for Maharashtra,” says Rajesh Tope

Govindraj Muttepawar — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 09:07:45 +0000

Rajesh Tope, the Health Minister of Maharashtra, on Thursday, April 8, accused the centre of supplying less vaccines to the state which has the highest number of cases. Citing figures from the Centre’s latest release order, Tope said, “Maharashtra has been given 7.5 lakh vaccine dosages only. While Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana etc have been given far more vaccines than Maharashtra,” as quoted by news agency ANI.

According to the latest release order of vaccines from Centre, Maharashtra has been given 7.5 lakh vaccine dosages only. While Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana etc have been given far more vaccines than Maharashtra: Rajesh Tope, State Health Minister pic.twitter.com/DxnDJTnkwd

— ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2021

Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday put the Centre on docks as he asked why the country’s worst-hit Covid-19 state is not allocated vaccine doses proportionate to its requirements.

The state minister said that Maharashtra needs at least 1.6 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine per month but the Centre has only allocated 7.5 lakh vaccine doses. The minister said that the Centre is not helping Maharashtra as much as it should.

Tope also said that he spoke to Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan immediately after the vaccine order was received and raised “the issue of discrimination”.

“We have the most number active patients, positivity rate and death with 12 crore population. Why we are given so few vaccines?,” asked the state health minister.

Tope further said that Dr Vardhan assured him that corrections will be done soon.
“We are still waiting. We want 1.6 crore vaccine dosages per month and 40 lakh every week because we are vaccinating 6 lakh people every day,” said Tope.

“We do not have enough vaccine doses,” says Maha Health Minister Rajesh Tope

Govindraj Muttepawar — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 09:03:14 +0000

Rajesh Tope, the Health Minister of Maharashtra on Wednesday, April 7, said that they do not have enough COVID-19 vaccine doses at various vaccination centers. This remarks came at the time when the state is witnessing a rapid rise in coronavirus cases.

Tope said, “We do not have enough vaccine doses at various vaccination centres, and people have to be sent back due to a shortage of doses. We have demanded from the Centre that people of age group 20-40 years must be vaccinated on priority”.

Tope further added, “We are working on war footing to increase the number of beds in Pune, Mumbai, Nashik and other parts of the State,” as quoted by ANI.

We are working on war footing to increase the number of beds in Pune, Mumbai, Nashik and other parts of the State: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope

— ANI (@ANI) April 7, 2021

On Wednesday morning, Maharashtra Health Minister also tweeted regarding the presnet scenario of Covid-19 outbreak in the state and said, “Today, newly 55,469 patients have been tested as positive in the state. Also newly 34,256 patients have been cured today. Totally 25,83,331 patients are cured & discharged from the hospitals Total Active patients are 4,72,283 bThe patient recovery rate in the state is 82.98%.”

Today, newly 55,469 patients have been tested as positive in the state. Also newly 34,256 patients have been cured today. Totally 25,83,331 patients are cured & discharged from the hospitals Total Active patients are 4,72,283 bThe patient recovery rate in the state is 82.98%.

— Rajesh Tope (@rajeshtope11) April 6, 2021

Mumbai recorded 10,040 new cases and 32 deaths. At the same time, 34, 256 people were discharged on Tuesday, taking the count of the recoveries in the state to 25, 83 ,331, the department said in a release.

The state’s recovery rate now stands at 82.98% and the fatality rate is 1.81%. Maharashtra had reported the highest spike in daily cases on Sunday, when it added over 57,000 infections.

With 2,01,693 new tests, the number of samples tested so far in Maharashtra has gone up to 2,09,17,486, it said.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope hints at imminent lockdown, amid rising Covid-19 cases!

Shreejit Shelar — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 16:29:33 +0000

Amid the unprecedented spike in Covid-19 cases, Maharashtra’s Health Minister, Rajesh Tope on Monday, reflected upon the state’s plan to fight the novel Coronavirus. He said, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is “very worried” about the situation in the state and has urged people to follow Covid-appropriate guidelines to avoid imposing lockdown in the state.

“Chief Minister is very worried about the situation in the State. He has requested people to behave responsibly to avoid COVID, otherwise, the government will have to resort to imposing a lockdown. People must adhere to the guidelines,” said Tope as he flagged his concerns over the rising Covid-19 cases.

Chief Minister is very worried about the situation in the State. He has requested people to behave responsibly to avoid COVID, otherwise, the government will have to resort to imposing a lockdown. People must adhere to the guidelines: Maharashtra Health Minister, Rajesh Tope pic.twitter.com/9TrBRDMAuO

— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2021

As reported by the news agency ANI, the Maharashtra government has requested as many as 20 lakh vaccines per day. “We were informed that we will receive nine lakh Covishield vaccines tomorrow. We aim to vaccinated vulnerable groups within three months. The pace needed to complete the target will require the requested amount of vaccines,” stated Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope.

We have requested for 20 lakh vaccines per day.We were informed that we'll receive 9 lakh Covishield vaccines tomorrow. We aim to vaccinate vulnerable groups within 3 months. The pace needed to complete target will require requested amount of vaccines:Maharashtra Health Minister

— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2021

On Sunday, Maharashtra reported 30,535 fresh COVID-19 cases, the highest rise in a single day. With this, the state’s overall tally of the infections mounted to 24,79,682 while 99 fatalities pushed the toll to 53,399.

However, on Monday, the state has witnessed a slight dip in its daily coronavirus disease (Covid-19) tally in comparison to Sunday’s numbers.