No immediate lockdown in BMC: said is Chahal

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Chahal said that despite the increase in covid-19 cases, the situation in Mumbai was under control and there was no need to impose a lockdown now.

 

City officials say the increase in cases is due to an increase in daily inspections.  BMC significantly increased from 11,000 to 15,000 in trials conducted in January.  23,000 Kovid-19 tests were conducted by the city team on Monday. The positive rate in the city is 6%, which is much lower than other cities in Maharashtra, a civic official said. 

 

The cases were scattered throughout the city, not concentrated in a particular area.  Slums account for 2% to 3% of cases.  The number of reported cases from residential buildings is also not high.  In that case, a lockdown would not be effective, "he said.  However, authorities have warned that if citizens do not comply with the COVID-19 protocol, the civic body will be forced to take drastic action.  A senior BMC official said 60 per cent of beds are available for covid-19 patients in city hospitals.

 

Third Zero Survey

 

In Mumbai, the Civil Body has conducted a third zero survey and will collect 12,000 samples from 24 wards and a report is expected within two weeks, officials said. Covid-19 immunization activities are being carried out at 67 centers, including 24 municipal hospitals, four government hospitals and 38 private hospitals, officials said.  BMC plans to increase the number of immunization centers to 85. Meanwhile, Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister Aslam Sheikh said the possibility of lockdown or night curfew could not be ruled out if covid-19 cases were on the rise in the city.

 

The government is allowed to ask for a partial lockdown if necessary, Sheikh said.  More cases have been reported in Mumbai.  Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has directed all administration offices to take necessary steps to prevent the spread of the disease.  Those stages can include a partial lockdown, test enhancement or a complete lockdown,”he said.

 

 

Rapid jump in cases

 

We urge all citizens to adhere to health standards and to take precautions, especially in congested areas.  Those who do not wear the mask will be fined,”he said.  In the last four days, more than a thousand cases have been registered in Mumbai: 1,014 (March 8), 1,361 (March 7), 1,188 (March 6) and 1,174 (March 5). Thane Municipal Corporation has imposed lockdowns on 16 hotspots.