According to reports, amidst the second wave of the coronavirus which broke this year in the middle of February, Dharavi has contributed 24.3 per cent of coronavirus cases in its administrative ward area, which is considerably less than neighbouring areas of Dadar (36.5 per cent) and Mahim (39.1 per cent) in Mumbai.
Furthermore, this year, Dharavi has reported a total of 2,220 cases till April 20, Dadar reported 3,341 cases and Mahim 3,574 cases. Dharavi has contributed to 0.7% of Mumbai’s total cases reported during this time around.
Moreover, the cause of the spike in COVID-19 cases across areas of Dadar and Mahim is reportedly due to the residential buildings. These buildings have reported more cases than Dharavi as observed during the second wave, where more cases are being reported from residential buildings than from slums and chawls. As of Wednesday, April 21, there are 114 containment zones in slums and chawls, and 1,198 sealed buildings across the city.
In the month of March last year, Mumbai experienced the outbreak of the coronavirus. During the time, Dharavi, one of the largest slums in Asia, happened to be the worst hit. However, with the efforts of the BMC, the spread of COVID-19 was contained. Meanwhile, there are about one and a half to two lakh people in the age group 45-60 residing in Dharavi. In order to vaccinate them, five cells have been set up at the vaccination centre. Moreover, five people can be vaccinated at the same time.