BMC revises protocol to seal buildings

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to seal off an entire building if more than 10 positive cases of the coronavirus are found in a single high-rise.

The BMC had earlier amended its protocol which was issued on July 29. As per the protocol, the civic body was to seal a building completely only if more than three positive cases of COVID-19 are reported. This decision came after several citizens appealed to the BMC asking the civic body to seal an entire building located in the western suburbs in order to restrict the movement of its residents after a single case of coronavirus was detected. However, as the number of coronavirus patients has witnessed a reduction, the civic body has relaxed the norms further.

Moreover, as of now, there are 7,099 buildings that have been sealed in Mumbai whereas the number of containment zones is 568. The highest number of sealed buildings is in R/C ward at 1,348. The lowest number of sealed buildings is in E ward, which has 37 sealed buildings. With regards to containment zones, there are a total of 568 containment zones in Mumbai, out of which the total number of houses is 8,42,563.

Down below are some of the suggestions listed by BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal.

• Antigen tests should be done on patients with cold, cough and fever.
• In order to obtain better results, the antigen tests should be used on target groups.
• Public and private hospitals should not provide beds to those without symptoms.
• Strict action has been directed against the arbitrariness of private hospitals.
• Buildings with more than 10 patients should be sealed.
• Post COVID-19 OPDs are about to be launched.
• If such OPD is to be initiated, it will be possible to get the exact information of the patients after recovery and treat them.
• Jumbo hospitals should be guided by experts from large private hospitals.
• The government should cooperate with the municipal administration to prevent coronavirus infection by implementing activities like telemedicine.
• Special measures should be taken in the wards where the rate of morbidity is high.