“Mild But Watchful”: Maharashtra Sees Rise in Covid-19 Cases, Elderly Most at Risk — Yet Recovery Rates Offer Hope

Mumbai: Maharashtra has witnessed a fresh spike in Covid-19 cases since mid-May, with 10 fatalities reported — primarily among elderly patients with severe comorbidities such as diabetes, stroke, and cancer. The latest deaths were recorded in Kolhapur and Satara, sparking a cautious but calm response from health authorities and medical experts alike.

Despite the uptick, medical professionals have stressed that the majority of current infections remain mild, even among high-risk groups. The state now records 483 active cases, yet hospital admissions remain low and critical care units are largely unoccupied.

In a reassuring sign, several high-risk patients have shown significant recovery without requiring aggressive treatment. Notable recoveries include an 87-year-old woman with multiple health conditions and a 77-year-old man recovering from a stroke, both of whom improved without ventilation or ICU care.

“This time, we’re not seeing severe lung involvement or rapid deterioration,” said a senior physician from Mumbai’s Kasturba Hospital. “Many patients with comorbidities are recovering at home with minimal support.”

Doctors attribute better outcomes to increased awareness, early testing, and improved immunity — either through previous infections or vaccination. Factors like muscle strength, body weight, and timely intervention are being credited for improving recovery rates, especially in senior citizens.

Hospital Trends Reflect Milder Wave
While cities like Thane, Pune, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, and Mumbai are reporting new infections, several hospitals across the state have no Covid-19 admissions at present. Some patient admissions were reported only due to family insistence, not clinical severity.

In May alone, Maharashtra recorded 477 new cases and 10 deaths, with 68 fresh cases reported on a single day — 30 of which came from Mumbai alone. Since January, the state has conducted over 12,000 Covid-19 tests, identifying 873 positive cases and achieving 359 recoveries.

Precautionary Measures Reinforced, Not Panic
Amid the presence of new variants — JN.1, XFG, and LF 7.9 — the state government has opted for preparedness rather than panic. Fresh advisories have been issued for local municipalities to conduct mock drills for oxygen supply and bed readiness.

Joint Guardian Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar reassured the public, saying:“There is no need for panic. But we must remain cautious. Elderly and vulnerable groups should wear masks and avoid crowded places.”

The Health Secretary has directed hospitals to ensure proper availability of PPE kits, oxygen, and isolation beds, while urging vulnerable citizens to follow standard Covid-appropriate behavior.