As Covid-19 surges in Mumbai, BMC gears up for worst-case scenario

As cases in India’s financial capital of Mumbai continue to zoom, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is factoring in the worst-case scenario and making preparations for 10,000 Covid-19 patients per day.

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has completed 10-lakh vaccinations. Besides, testing is being increased, which include RT-PCRs and also RATs in public places, and the hospital bed strength is being augmented.

However, Mumbai’s Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said that the situation is under control and there is no reason to panic. “The municipal corporation is in full control of the situation and there is nothing to be panic,” he said.

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Chahal’s statement on Thursday comes in wake of the record high of 5,458 cases vis-à-vis 40,400 tests. The positivity rate is 12 per cent and the percentage of asymptomatic patients is 84 per cent.

The BMC is gearing up the total availability of DCHC/DCH Covid beds from 13,733 to 21,000 in the next 15 days in various hospitals of Mumbai. “Assuming that the number of positives in the due course of time in Mumbai increases to 10,000 per day with the assumption that 15 per cent of these would be symptomatic – requiring beds as per ICMR guidelines,” Chahal said.

He pointed out that assuming that every symptomatic patient requires a bed and considering a 14 days bed occupancy, the total beds needed to handle 10,000 cases per day for a period of next six to eight weeks, around 21,000 beds would be needed.

Chahal pointed out that the mortality rate is low at 4.6 per day and 0.3 per cent of the total positive cases between 10 February and March 24.

He said 10 lakh vaccination has been completed in the city and the BMC has taken a decision to conduct 1 one vaccination per day. “Vaccination is the ultimate remedy to ending this pandemic,” he said, however, added that citizens need to follow Covid-19-appropriate behaviour.