In an attempt to battle the coronavirus outbreak, the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has converted some apartments in a hi-rise building in Bhayander into a quarantine centre. While India is faring better in terms of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic as compared to other nations, Maharashtra has been the worst-affected region with 52 cases.
Reportedly, the lowest floors of a 22-storeyed building were built under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's (MMRDA) Rental Housing Scheme. The construction has now been taken over by the MBMC to ensure that there are plenty of places to quarantine individuals.
Moreover, the facilities will provide tea and refreshments, dining facilities, medical kits, mineral water bottles, and WiFi connection. Currently, 31 rooms are ready, and the civic body has ensured that the number is likely to go up.
“While paramedical staff including a doctor and three nurses will work 24x7 in three shifts, sufficient housekeeping personnel will be available to maintain proper hygiene at the centre,” said MBMC Commissioner Chandrakant Dange.
So far, close to 116 people in Mira Road and Bhayander with a travel history abroad had been under home quarantine. Of which, 35 have completed the 14-day period and none of them has shown any signs of the virus. The remaining 81 people are still under observation.
Meanwhile, the current facility comes as an addition to a host of other wards. Other than that, 36 beds in various civil and private hospitals to deal with the outbreak along with a special isolation ward have been created at the government hospital (Tembha) in Bhayandar, adding 40 more beds.
The local residents were hesitant about the MBMC’s move, fearing that they would get infected but the MBMC chief reassured them that nothing of that sort would happen.
“There is absolutely no reason to fear about quarantining- which is now the need of the hour. It’s not an airborne disease, moreover, all precautions are being taken,” he said.
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