Over the past two days, Mumbai has reported more than 400 daily coronavirus infections. As per the data shared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), 441 fresh infections were reported in the financial capital yesterday on September 2. The city also reported three deaths taking the total fatalities due to COVID to 15,984.

Last week on August 27, Mumbai had reported 362 daily COVID19 cases. “Cases are going up, but we cannot say that it’s the third wave. We have to watch the trend over the next few weeks,” additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani was quoted as saying.

The data shows there is an upward trend in Mumbai’s COVID19 graph for the past few days whereas a downward trend in COVID19 cases in Maharashtra. Yesterday Maharashtra registered 4,342 cases, a drop of 114 cases over the previous day (4,456 cases) while Mumbai cases climbed to 441 compared to 415 on September 1. A week ago, on August 27, the state had registered 4,654 daily cases.

In the wake of the rising number of COVID19 cases in Mumbai, and to increase the number of fully vaccinated citizens in the city, the BMC has planned a special drive tomorrow on September 4 for those eligible for a second dose.

As part of the initiative, over 300 civic and government-run centres are to administer the second dose to the beneficiaries. “The state and the civic-run centres will not administer the first dose of vaccine on September 4,” said the civic body.

Since January 16, when the nationwide inoculation drive was launched, 9,562,080 COVID19 vaccine doses have been administered in Mumbai. Of these, 7,237,901 beneficiaries have been given the first dose while 2,736,288 have been administered the second jab.

Meanwhile, the Central Railways is expected to run air-conditioned special trains between Mumbai and Kudal to cater to the extra rush of passengers in view of the upcoming Ganapati festival in the state.

As per media reports, the special trains will operate from September 7 to 10. The special train will depart the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 4.35 am every day from September 7 to September 10, and reach Kudal at 2.30 pm. The train will leave Kudal at 3.30 pm and arrive at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 3 am next day.

Also Read: COVID19 third wave in India expected to be less severe than the second wave: ICMR

School reopening in Maharashtra 

The Maharashtra government had announced reopening of schools in areas where the coronavirus cases are under control. On August 10, School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad said that students of Classes 5 to 12 will be allowed to attend classes in rural areas from August 17 and in urban areas Classes 8 to 12 students will be allowed to visit schools.

However, a day later, the state education department put on hold its decision to reopen schools after objections from its COVID19 task force. One of the task force members reportedly said that the children below the age of 18 are not vaccinated and an impending third wave could impact them.

Yesterday Bachchu Kadu, Maharashtra minister of state for school education, said a decision on reopening schools would be taken in the next two days. Kadu said a meeting in this regard will be held in the next few days.

“Schools have started in other states (such as Uttar Pradesh) of the country and should be started in the state as well. But the decision will have to be taken carefully considering the fact that Maharashtra has the highest number of active cases after Kerala,” Kadu was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the BMC sealed a Mumbai school after 22 people including students tested positive for COVID19. Among the 22 COVID19 positive students of St Joseph School, four are aged below 12, the other 12 students are aged between 12 to 18 years. The remaining six are above the age of 18, highlighted a media report dated September 1.

Schools in rural areas were allowed to resume physical classes for Class 8 to 12 students on July 12 but only in areas where COVID19 cases are minimal.

Also Read: Right to Education Forum demands unlocking education in India; schools in UP set to reopen from Aug 23

In India, 45,624 new COVID19 cases were reported yesterday on September 2. At 32,097 daily cases, Kerala continues to report the highest COVID19 cases in the country. Maharashtra stood second with 4,342 daily new cases.