In yet another worrying Covid spike, Maharashtra reported over 55,000 cases on Tuesday.
In the last 24 hours, Mumbai reported 10,030 cases and 31 deaths, Pune 11,040 cases and 34 deaths, Nashik 4,350 cases and 24 deaths, and Nagpur 3,753 cases and 35 deaths.
Rising cases have stretched Maharashtra's health infrastructure and hospitals are facing an oxygen shortage. Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope has spoken union health minister Harsh Vardhan, and requested him to let neighbouring states send oxygen cylinders to Maharashtra.
A weekend lockdown in Maharashtra is already in effect amid the unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases.