Mumbai: As COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to surge, leaders of Maharashtra's ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Monday cautioned at even more strict lockdown rules likely to be fastened to break the chain of the virus.

Health Minister Rajesh Tope stated that given the current scenario, the government is also anticipating strict rules on all outlets selling essentials such as groceries, vegetables, fruits and more. These establishments may be allowed only for limited hours from 7 am-11 am to reduce the crowds on the roads with many people claiming they are out to buy essential supplies. Transport Minister Anil Parab and Social Welfare Minister Vijay Wadettiwar also stated that that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is in discussions with officials and other stakeholders on the current situation of the pandemic

After days of recording surge in daily COVID-19 cases, Maharashtra on Monday saw a slight dip in its tally of infections. The state on Monday registered 58,924 fresh cases.

For the last few days, the state's single-day tally of COVID-19 cases was hovering above the 60,000-mark daily. With 58,000 cases in 24 hours, state's total caseload has now gone to 38,98,262. The test positivity rate in the state stands at 16.19 per cent.

While, 351 COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours have taken state's case fatality rate to 1.56 per cent. Currently, there are 37,43,968 people in home quarantine while 27,081 people are shunted to institutional quarantine in the state. As of Monday, active caseload in the state stands at 6,76,520. Till date, Mumbai has notched the highest deaths (12,354) while Pune has reported the maximum tally of cases (5,94,460) in India.

Meanwhile, in a bid to control the influx of other variants of COVID in the state, Maharashtra on Monday declared six states including Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Goa and Delhi, as places of ‘sensitive origin’.

Also, Maharashtra is under lockdown style curfew till May 1, so all eyes are set on the government’s decision to impose strict lockdown in coming days. According to reports, CM Uddhav Thackeray is likely to take a decision on further tightening the existing lockdown restrictions in a bid to break the virus chain.