Mumbai Reports 8,648 Covid Cases, 20 Deaths In Highest Single-Day Spike

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has warned of a massive lockdown if the situation doesn't improve. Health officials have warned people against taking safety guidelines lightly

Mumbai reported yet another highest spike in COVID-19 cases today, amid spiralling active infections for the last few weeks. The city today reported 8,648 cases in a 24-hour period, surpassing any previous high. 20 have died, government data shows. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has warned of a massive lockdown if the situation doesn't improve. Health officials have warned people against taking safety guidelines lightly. COVID-19 cases have been rising fast in Maharashtra and the state has been taking steps like enforcing safety guidelines more strictly. The Maharashtra government has brought down the rates of coronavirus RT-PCR tests to Rs 500 from Rs 1,000. The charges for rapid antigen tests were also brought down. Hit by a second wave of COVID-19, Maharashtra has stepped up restrictions in the last few weeks to check the spread of virus, including a state-wide night curfew. After Mr Thackeray asked officials last week to prepare for a possible lockdown if the cases continue to rise, some state ministers and the BJP have said other options should be considered.