After witnessing a continuing decline of Covid-19 cases across the state after nearly 17 months, the Maharashtra govt-issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to reopen auditorium, cinema halls, malls, restaurants etc. from October 22.

In October, Maharashtra saw an average of 1,922 new Covid-19 cases daily, down from 3,424 cases per day in September. And despite Diwali festivities in November, the state has been recording a steady decline in both daily fresh cases as well as fatalities.

According to public health experts, the decline in the cases could be attributed to a combination of multiple factors – the receding second wave, widespread infection in the population and the overall coverage of vaccination, reported Hindustan Times.

However, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope urged citizens to not get carried away and not let their guard down. On November 24, Tope said that the state could expect a third wave of Covid-19 in December but its impact will be a mild one. "The third wave is expected to be mild and medical oxygen and ICU beds will not be required," said Tope.

The minister's assertions came a day after the Centre chided the state for a drastic fall in the testing rates - from 2.69 lakhs per day in May to barely 98,000 now in November. Union Health Secretary Ranjit Bhushan said in districts of Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Dhule, Gondiya, Hingoli, Nandurbar, Washim and Yavamal, the testing rate was lower than the WHO recommended 140 tests per million daily.

Until November 4, Maharashtra recorded 6,615,299 cases and 1,40,325 deaths, making it the worst-affected state in India. But with a wide coverage of vaccination, cases have started coming down in the state. On November 24, Maharashtra recorded 960 coronavirus infections and 41 fatalities in the last 24 hours while the number of active cases remained below 10,000 for the fourth straight day.