Amid alarming spike in COVID-19 cases, Mumbai civic body chief sacked

Praveen Pardeshi was replaced by Iqbal Chahal in a major shuffle to combat the virus.

Pardeshi has been transferred to the urban development department.

The country's financial capital has emerged to the biggest hub of the pandemic with 11,000 positive cases and over 400 deaths.

Maharashtra is the worst-hit state in the country with over 19,000 infections.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday urged people to stay indoors and follow the restrictions as part of the nationwide lockdown.

However, he ruled out the possibility of deployment of Army to stem the spread of the contagion.

He also mentioned that Mumbai needs to come out of the lockdown stating "we cannot live like this permanently."

He warned that mismanagement at hospitals will not be tolerated, referring to a video that showed patients at a Mumbai hospital being treated next to bodies.

The Centre on Thursday extended help to Maharashtra in all possible manners.

"The (government) is ready to help in every way possible - be it manpower increase, capacity building, technical assistance etc. or any kind of handholding that is required to manage the situation," Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said at a meeting with state health officials.

India presently has over 55,000 positive cases of the deadly virus. The nationwide lockdown, which is in its third phase, is scheduled to end on May 17.