To keep a check on the spread of Covid-19, the Maharashtra cabinet has recommended extending the lockdown-like restrictions in the state, health minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday. He also informed that soon chief minister Uddhav Thackeray will take a decision in this regard. The current lockdown-like curbs will end at 7am on May 15.

"At the Cabinet meeting, the health department and ministers proposed to extend the lockdown for 15 days. The chief minister will take a final decision on this matter," Tope told reporters as quoted by Hindustan Times.

According to officials, the lockdown will be as strict as it is currently, while in some districts where the cases are on the rise, the local administration is expected to impose stricter curbs.

At present, cases are on the rise in 21 districts and dropping in 15, including Mumbai and Thane.

The cabinet meeting was held on a day when the state reported a slight increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Maharashtra reported 46,781 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, an uptick from 40,956 a day ago, and 816 deaths, the health department said. The caseload increased to 52,26,710, while death toll reached 78,007, it said.

On Tuesday Maharashtra had reported 40,956 Covid-19 cases, 793 deaths and 71,966 recoveries.

Maharashtra now has 5,46,129 active cases.

Another reason for the lockdown extension is the slowed-down vaccination drive. Tope said that the state government has suspended the vaccination drive for the age group of 18-44 years for time being due to shortage of the vaccines. He added that the doses meant for 18-44 age group will be diverted for the second dose of the people above 45 years.

According to state government data, Maharashtra has administered 1,88,21,485 doses of Covid-19 vaccine on May 11.