Health ministry joint secretary Lav Agarwal on Friday explained that Maharashtra may be at greater risk from a 3rd wave and that's why the state was already alerted.

Agarwal said that when a virus replicates, some mutations aid to the virus' additional survival and when there are many cases, the virus may get more scope to get replicated.

He added that it is likely that more people will be infected with some variants such as Delta Plus.

Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research Dr Balram Bhargava said some districts in Maharashtra still have over 5% positivity rate, which is concerning.

Dr Bhargava said that this is a good step that the state has brought back restrictions.