<span style="color: #222222;">The Maharashtra government said, it will conduct antigen tests, which would provide results of the COVID-19 tests within an hour, unlike the current waiting period of over 24 hours. Talking to reporters today, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that one lakh antigen test kits will soon be made available in the state. </span><br />'' <br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, procurement orders have been given. He added that priority would be given to conduct this test on the frontline COVID-19 workers, such as essential services staff, health workers, police and others. The state government has also decided to undertake rapid antibody tests, whose kits were being supplied by a South Korean company. The number of novel coronavirus-infected persons in Maharashtra stood at 1,42,900 till last night, while the death toll has reached 6,739.  </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, according to data issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) today, India's commercial capital finally appears to be winning the protracted battle against the viral infection, with the average rate of doubling in COVID-19 cases crossing 40 days mark in most pockets of the metropolis. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">On 16th June the average doubling rate was 30 days. Also there has been a significant decline in the growth rate of daily covid-19 cases in the city. As on 17th June, the growth rate was 2.30 per cent while now the growth rate has reduced to 1.72 per cent.</span><br />''