The Worli-Koliwada region has been badly affected by the coronavirus, and the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) has decided to ramp up testing and screening with the launch of a new “CovidBus” in the region. This bus will reportedly have the ability to screen up to 300 people each day.
In addition to carrying thermal-screening devices, this bus will also be equipped with x-rays for detecting coronavirus infections and oximeters. The bus will work closely with local fever clinics and mobile dispensaries located around tightly-packed slum areas.
CovidBus will visit several impacted areas of the G-South Ward including Worli-Koliwada, BDD Chawl, Siddharth Nagar, and Jijamata Nagar. This bus was collectively inaugurated by State Health Minister Rajesh Tope, State Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray, and the BMC Commissioner, Praveen Pardeshi via video conferencing.
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This bus was reportedly made with the help of the Krsnaa diagnostic and IIT Alumni council. Authorities added that the bus will have an RT-PCR swab collection unit to facilitate the testing of suspected patients.
The CovidBus started its trip from the Worli Police Station, where around 200 people including policemen were screened. Sharad Ughade, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, G-South Ward said, “It is the first mobile ‘CovidBus’ for mass screening and will be using a combination of O2 saturation, AI-based x-rays for detecting novel coronavirus.”
These measures by the BMC along with the steps taken by the State Government have made the Maharashtra CM hopeful of making the state COVID-19 free by the end of May. Rapid testing and follow up on treated patients is perhaps the only way to rid the entire state of this devastating disease.
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