Mumbai, May 21: Maharashtra has reported two Covid-related deaths since January this year, the state health department has said, adding that the two were patients with comorbidities.

The department, late Tuesday night, stated that both deaths were reported from Mumbai and involved patients with comorbidities (simultaneous presence of two or more medical conditions in a person). One of the deceased had nephrotic syndrome with hypocalcemia seizure, while the other was a cancer patient.

According to the health department, a total of 6,066 swab samples have been examined for coronavirus since January, of which 106 tested positive for the infectious disease. Of these, 101 were from Mumbai and the remaining from Pune, Thane, and Kolhapur. Currently, 52 patients are undergoing treatment for mild symptoms, while 16 are being treated at hospitals.

“A spike in Covid-19 cases is not only being seen in Maharashtra, but also in other states and even other countries,” said the health department release.

“Covid is a disease caused by a virus. Currently, the ILI (Influenza-like Illness) and SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) survey is going on in Maharashtra for Covid. In that survey, such patients are tested for Covid. These Covid patients are being treated regularly after testing positive, Covid cases are currently rare in the state. Mild symptoms are being found in Covid patients. Covid testing and treatment facilities are available through the health department. Therefore, the public is urged not to panic,” said the release.

Earlier, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday said, “Covid-19 is now considered an endemic and an ongoing health problem. As the virus has become established at the community level, cases are now sporadic and very rare.

In recent days, the number of Covid cases has been increasing in Singapore, Hong Kong, East Asia and other countries. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s health department is constantly monitoring the spread of Covid to keep it under control. “The number of patients has been very low from January to April. Some patients have been seen since May; however, the BMC administration is appealing to the citizens not to panic in this regard,” said the release.

According to BMC, treatment and guidance facilities are available in the civic hospitals, including Seven Hills Hospital with 20 beds (MICU), 20 beds for children and pregnant women and 60 general beds. Also, Kasturba Hospital has 2 intensive care (ICU) beds and a special ward of 10 beds with a provision to increase the capacity immediately.

“Common symptoms of Covid-19 include fever, cough (dry or with phlegm), sore or achy throat, fatigue, body aches, and headache. Symptoms may also include a runny nose and a loss of taste or smell. These symptoms can often be similar to those of a common cold and can vary from person to person. In severe cases, difficulty in breathing is a major warning sign,” said the BMC advisory.

The BMC further said that Covid-19 can be prevented by taking proper precautions. Especially patients with serious illnesses and low immunity, e.g., cancer, the elderly, diabetes, high blood pressure, and liver disease, should take proper precautions. BMC has urged the citizens to consult a municipal clinic, hospital, or family doctor if they find symptoms like fever, cough (dry or with phlegm), sore or achy throat, fatigue, body aches, and headache.

The Corporation has also appealed to the citizens to wear a mask in public if found with symptoms, keep a distance from others, wash hands frequently with soap and water and follow a proper diet and take rest.

New Delhi, May 21: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday paid heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion of his 34th death anniversary.

Both leaders arrived at Veer Bhumi in New Delhi to offer their solemn respects to the late Prime Minister.

Rajiv Gandhi, who served as India’s Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989, assumed office following the assassination of his mother, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. At the age of 40, he became the youngest Prime Minister in Indian history.

Rajiv Gandhi led the country until the 1989 general elections, after which he served as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He resigned in December 1990, just six months before he was assassinated in a brutal terrorist attack.

Marking the occasion, the Congress party shared a tribute on X, stating, “On the death anniversary of the late Shri Rajiv Gandhi, the leader of opposition, Rahul Gandhi visited ‘Veer Bhumi’ and paid his emotional tribute to him. The excellent work done by Rajiv Gandhi in the national interest can never be forgotten.”

Earlier in the day, Mallikarjun Kharge also paid homage to the former leader through a post on X, calling Rajiv Gandhi “a great son of India” who inspired hope among millions.

He wrote, “His visionary and courageous interventions were instrumental in preparing India for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.”

Kharge highlighted some of Rajiv Gandhi’s key contributions to India, stating, “These include lowering the voting age to 18, strengthening Panchayati Raj, spearheading the Telecom and IT revolution, implementing a computerisation program, securing sustained peace accords, launching a universal immunisation program, and introducing a new education policy focused on inclusive learning.”

He concluded his tribute stating, “Our deepest respects to the Former PM, Bharat Ratna, Rajiv Gandhi on his martyrdom day.”

Several other Congress leaders also visited Veer Bhumi to pay their respects.

Congress leader Pawan Khera, speaking to Media, said, “The inspiration this family has given us to shed blood for the country is priceless. It feels like the nation was unfortunate to have lost Rajiv Gandhi at such a young age. Had he been with us today, the history of this country would have been very different and much better.”

Congress veteran Sushil Kumar Shinde also paid homage and told Media, “Whenever we come here, we pay our respects at Veer Bhumi. The contributions Rajiv Gandhi made to our country, especially during this transformative era, will never be forgotten by this nation. What he did for our country is something the nation will always remember.”

Mumbai, May 21: Shiv Sena(UBT) on Wednesday slammed the BJP and Shiv Sena over the induction of veteran NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal into the council of ministers, saying that those who strongly criticised him in the past will now have to swallow their criticism and sit with him in the cabinet.

“Bhujbal, who once fought for the identity of Maharashtra, faced imprisonment, and raised the issues of Marathi people with great enthusiasm, had to join the herd of Maharashtra opposition (Mahayuti) and take the mantle of minister in the last phase of his life. This can be called his tragedy. Bhujbal’s entry into the cabinet was a tragedy not only for him but for many others. Fadnavis, Eknath Mindhe (Shinde) had a political rivalry with Bhujbal. They had openly expressed their opposition to Bhujbal’s entry into the cabinet. However, Bhujbal has got the ministerial berth and now they (Fadnavis and Shinde) will have no option but to sit with him,” remarked Shiv Sena(UBT) in its mouthpiece Saamana editorial.

“A very testing moment has come in Deputy Chief Minister Mindhe’s (Shinde) life, and he should go to his party chief Amit Shah’s door and complain about it. Devendra Fadnavis has included Chhagan Bhujbal in the cabinet, and Eknath Mindhe will have to sit on Bhujbal’s lap from now on.” Shiv Sena(UBT) has reminded Deputy CM Shinde that he used to question the former chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray, why it did not hurt him when he was sharing cabinet meetings with Bhujbal, who had arrested Hindu Hruday Samrat Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray. How does he (Uddhav Thackeray) not feel ashamed about it? Among the reasons given by Mindhe (Shinde) and others for leaving Shiv Sena and accepting Amit Shah’s leadership, one of them was that it would not be possible for them to sit on Bhujbal’s lap,” said the Thackeray camp.

The Thackeray camp has stepped up the attack against Dy CM Shinde, saying that he had announced that he would not stand with those who arrested the former Shiv Sena chief. “Now Amit Shah and Fadnavis have put Mindhe (Shinde) in such a dilemma that if he has true loyalty to the Shiv Sena chief, then resign, otherwise, he will have no option but to sit with Bhujbal in the cabinet. Shinde-Mindhe not only attended Bhujbal’s oath-taking ceremony but also felicitated him by giving him a bouquet. Bhujbal’s entry into the cabinet is a warning to Mindhe and his people,” claims the editorial.

“When Bhujbal was not initially included in the cabinet, he made a big fuss. He said that this injustice was done to the OBC community. He had warned that he would not remain silent now, but raise his voice against the injustice done to him. However, Bhujbal (after not getting the ministerial berth in the cabinet expansion that took place on December 15 last year) remained silent on the advice of Fadnavis,” said the editorial.

“Fadnavis used to deliberately mention that Bhujbal has not been acquitted (in the money laundering case) but has only been released on bail. However, today the picture is that both leaders, Bhujbal and Ajit Pawar, are in Fadnavis’ cabinet. BJP people are strengthening the foundation of corruption by rubbing ‘Devendra Ratan’ oil on their thighs,” said the editorial.

“They (BJP) would accuse someone of corruption, send him to jail, and say that they would never sit with them… It is the business of the Bharatiya Janata Party to fool people by taking them into the party for power. Fadnavis and Mindhe were so disgusted with Ajit Pawar and Bhujbal, but it must be said that time has taken a terrible revenge on both of them. Bhujbal was accused by the Enforcement Directorate of money laundering. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya levelled a series of allegations against Bhujbal. Of course, Fadnavis and others were the ones who inspired Kirit Somaiya to make such accusations and harass Bhujbal. Now, the same corrupt Kirit Somaiya will be seen with Bhujbal,” said the Thackeray camp.

“Gulab Patil (cabinet minister) from the Mindhe group and legislator Suhas Kande from Nandgaon had even launched a campaign against Bhujbal. Gulab Patil in public meetings had alleged that Bhujbal is Asaram. Now, people like Mindhe and others will have to worship the shoes of Asaram in the cabinet. Bhujbal has held the post of Guardian Minister of Nashik for many years. His administrative experience is immense. Fadnavis is his present guide. From now on, Bhujbal will not follow the orders of Ajit Pawar, but of Fadnavis, and his leader will be Amit Shah,” said the editorial.