New Delhi: In the wake of a ‘tremendous’ rise in Covid-19 cases in Mumbai over the last few weeks, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal on Wednesday directed the civic officials to step up Covid testing immediately and keep the staff of field hospitals on alert, news agency PTI reported. The city has been witnessing a sharp spike in cases since the beginning of May. The number of fresh cases on Tuesday breached the 500-mark for the first time since February 6.
"The new cases (reported) daily have tremendously gone up in Mumbai, and with monsoon around the corner, we will now see a rapid rise in symptomatic cases," PTI quoted Chahal as telling the BMC officials.
Amid the surge in cases, Maharashtra Health Minister, Rajesh Tope, as quoted by news agency ANI, said, "We are seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai, Pune and some (areas) of Thane. Today there are 3,475 Covid cases out of which around 2500 cases are from Mumbai. Out of 2500 cases, no one is admitted to the hospital. So no need to worry."
In a message, BMC Commissioner Chahal directed the civic officials to conduct the Covid testing in a war-footing in the city, ensure adequate staffers at the field hospitals and to keep them on alert. He also asked the civic officials to direct the private laboratories to remain fully prepared and proactive.
In the light of the steady surge, Chahal also directed all the assistant municipal commissioners and the in-charge of various wards to review the status of ward rooms in order to ensure that they are fully equipped with staff, medical teams and ambulances, and also to put the private hospitals on alert.
The BMC Commissioner also asked the assistant civic commissioners to take stock of the Covid situation in their respective wards and intervene wherever required.
He also asked the civic officials to visit the hospitals coming under their jurisdiction, ensure they are monsoon-ready with de-watering pumps, fire safety mechanisms, structural stability certification, medical and paramedic staff, oxygen plants and are fully equipped with medicines.
"The jumbo medical facility in Malad area should be put to use on priority, if hospitalisation rises in the coming days," PTI quoted Chahal as saying.
He also directed the civic officials to convince the people to take the Covid booster doses and boost up the vaccination drive in the 12-18 years category.