Maharashtra reported 5,229 new cases of coronavirus infection yesterday, taking its total tally to 18,42,587. According to the state’s public health department, 6,776 patients were discharged yesterday post-recovery while 127 others succumbed to the infection. Meanwhile, in the wake of shortage of blood in the state, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has urged citizens to voluntarily come forward and donate blood.

Maharashtra Chief Minister said that the state currently has bloodstock that would last not more than ten days. He has urged citizen bodies, NGOs, religious bodies and residential societies to organise blood donation camps while keeping in mind all the necessary health and COVID-19 protocols.

On the other hand, Maharashtra Government has issued a notification, citing that blood banks found guilty of overcharging will be dealt with a strict hand. State Public Health Principal Secretary Dr Pradeep Vyas said that irregularities like refusal to give blood to thalassemia patients, recovery of the processing fee, not displaying daily bloodstock on websites and above all overcharging for plasma bags against the stipulated price have come to the fore recently. He said that punitive action will be taken against such blood banks. Besides returning the excess money to patients these blood banks will have to pay a penalty of five times the fixed charges.