<span style="color: #222222;">Maharashtra's Health Minister Rajesh Tope has informed that the total number of COVID- 19 patients in the state has increased to 1135. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai today, Mr. Tope said, 117 patients have recovered from the disease and have been discharged. Reiterating that there is no community transmission at present, the minister said, the course of the spread has not been as steep as seen in European countries. With the number of deaths being 66, the state has also recorded the worst death ratio of almost 6 percent amongst all Indian states.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">With Dharavi recording its tenth positive case today, the minister said there has still been no decision to seal the area. He, however said that lockdown in the area will be strictly imposed to ensure that the disease is kept under check.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Mr. Tope said wearing of masks has been made compulsory across Mumbai and Pune, where maximum number of cases have been recorded. He informed that he had a very fruitful meeting IMA – Indian Medical Association today wherein it was decided that a rakshak hospital will be set up in each taluka. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">When asked about the use of rapid testing kits, Mr. Tope said, the results of these kits are not 100 percent satisfactory but still will be used if approved by the Centre. </span><br />