PUNE: The number of active Covid-19 cases in the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR) reduced to 8,299 on Tuesday, the lowest since February 24 when the active tally stood at 8,299.
District health data showed that the number of active cases in the rural areas has dropped below 5,000, recording more than 50% drop in just a matter of two weeks.
The number of patients in Pune municipal limits has also declined below 2,500, while that in the Pimpri Chinchwad areas has reduced below 1,000.
Health officials said the number of active cases in the rural areas was a major concern, but the number has been on the decline for some time now.
“Active cases have been on a decline in both the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal limits since the last month.
However, the cases in the rural areas were rising.
It was only after that the testing was increased and strict restrictions were imposed that the numbers started dropping,” a health official said.
The PMR was among the top few districts with the highest number of active cases during the peak of the recent surge.
The number had surged beyond one lakh-mark in mid-April.
Sanjeev Wavre, assistant health chief in PMC, said, “The PMC areas had the maximum active caseload of around 56,000 on a single day in April.
After that the daily cases and the tally of active patients started to decline.
The cases have been dropping since the last two months.
A few civic wards are now reporting single-digit cases per day.
However, restrictions are in place despite the drop in cases.
We have continued contact tracing efforts and swab centres are operational across the city.” The PMC has temporarily closed down Covid Care Centres following a drop in cases.
An official from the civic health department said a decline in cases had improve bed availability in the hospitals.
The daily cases in the PMC and PCMC areas have dropped below 500, while the cases in rural areas have been ranging between 500 to 1,000.
Health experts have said people needed to abide by the Covid-appropriate behaviour to prevent another spike.
However, the way crowds are returning to roads and markets, the experts have expressed fear of the third wave gripping the state in a matter of few weeks.