Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Chahal said on Tuesday that despite the increase in cases of COVID-19, the situation in Mumbai is under control and there is no need to impose lockdown anymore.
According to civil authorities, the spike in cases is the result of increased daily testing. BMC has tested significantly in the 11,000 to 15,000 tests conducted in January which is currently over 20,000. 23,000 COVID-19 tests were conducted by the civic body on Monday.
A civic official said the city recorded a positivity of 6%, which is significantly lower than other cities in Maharashtra. The cases were scattered across the city and were not concentrated in a particular locality. “Slums account for only 2% to 3% of cases, and the number of reported cases from residential buildings is also not high. In such a situation the lockdown will not be effective.
Authorities have warned, however, that if the citizens do not follow the COVID-19 protocol, the civic body may be forced to take drastic measures. A senior BMC official said that about 60% of beds are available for COVID-19 patients in city hospitals.
Third serpo survey
The official said that Civic Body has conducted a third sero survey in Mumbai and 12,000 samples will be taken from 24 wards.
The official said that the COVID-19 immunization operation is going on at 67 centers, which include 24 civil hospitals, four government hospitals and 38 private hospitals. He said BMC plans to increase the number of vaccination centers to 85.
Meanwhile, the guardian minister of Mumbai suburban district Aslam Shaikh said that if the COVID-19 cases are continuously increasing in the city, the possibility of lockdown or night curfew cannot be ruled out.
If necessary, the administration is allowed to call for partial lockdown. “Mumbai is reporting more cases. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has directed all administration offices to take necessary steps to deal with the epidemic. Those steps may include partial lockdown, increased testing, or even full lockdown, ”he said.
Sudden increase in cases
“We appeal to all citizens to follow health norms, and to exercise caution especially in crowded places. Those who do not wear masks will be punished, ”he said. In the last four days, more than 1,000 daily cases have been reported in Mumbai: 1,014 (8 March), 1,361 (7 March), 1,188 (6 March), and 1,174 (5 March).
Thane Municipal Corporation has locked up 16 hotspots.
(With PTI inputs)
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