With Mumbai witnessing a marginal rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, the city’s average growth rate of the virus has now jumped to 0.22 per cent while the figure stood at 0.12 per cent on February 1. As per official data, wards that cover Bandra, Chembur, and Mulund currently have the highest growth rate, even higher than the city’s average.
The H-West ward that covers portions of Bandra, Khar, and Santacruz currently has a growth rate of 0.36 per cent while the M-West ward consisting of Chembur is seeing a growth rate of 0.35 per cent. The T ward (Mulund) ranks third with a growth rate of 0.34 per cent.
Given the increase in cases, senior officials have reportedly asked municipal staff in these wards to activate COVID Care Centres, most of which were closed down last year.
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Ward officials have also been asked to direct housing societies to follow COVID-19 mitigation guidelines such as wearing masks and social distancing, while also encouraging levying of penalties for those not wearing masks in public.
Some civic representatives have said that this surge in cases can be attributed to people not taking the virus seriously anymore. BJP Corporator from Mulund (T ward), Prakash Gangadhare said that although cases were in control, people started moving around freely when the State announced the unlock or reopening.
“I represent the ward, which covers the railway station area as well and the crowds there were once again the same as pre-Covid times with people roaming around without putting on their face masks as well. We cannot drop our guard so soon,” he said.
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Some residents of the affected wards have said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) needs to do more to control the spread of the coronavirus.
Speaking to TOI, Madhu Poplai, Secretary at Pali Hill Residents Association said, “There was a positive case in our premises itself and I had to repeatedly pursue the authorities to get him isolated as the person lived in a hutment which is located inside our society.”
“After much back and forth, the ward staff finally sent an ambulance. Ideally, they should have acted proactively if they are keen on breaking the chain of the virus. It was a huge concern watching the positive case move all around the area without isolating himself,” she added.
Read - Yavatmal, Wardha, And Amravati Now Witnessing Higher COVID-19 Positivity Rate Than In September 2020
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