After three residents from Worli Koliwada were tested positive for the Coronavirus earlier, the BMC has managed to trace all their 150 contacts and has decided to quarantine them in Poddar Hospital. As of today, all 150 contacts have been transferred to the hospital. Among the three COVID-19 positive cases in the area, two happen to be an elderly couple who are deemed to be high-risk individuals.
Authorities added that some residents were reluctant to send their family members for isolation, but they were eventually convinced to adhere to the norms. All have been transported to the quarantine hospital on BEST buses, the authorities added.
Sharad Ughade, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of G-South Ward (Worli-Mahalaxmi) said - “We have decided to shift 150 close contacts of those infected from Worli Koliwada. On Wednesday, we moved 87 people to quarantine facilities in Poddar hospital. The remaining will be moved by Thursday. We have made arrangements for their food.”
A BMC official said - “They were living in a densely populated area and most use common sanitation facilities. To prevent the virus from spreading, we decided to move them to a separate quarantine facility. All of them will be kept in 14-day quarantine at Poddar hospital.”
“This was necessary, as it is practically impossible to keep a tab on their health on a daily basis. If we observe symptoms, they can be tested immediately. More people will be moved into quarantine facilities once contact tracing is over,” the official added.
It is said that the area was under a bit of panic after a 35-year old man recently passed away. However, local authorities have clarified that this is not a COVID-19 related death, although the deceased man’s body has been taken to KEM Hospital for examination.
Isolating contacts could be a herculean task in an area like Worli Koliwada as well as the two slums next to it. Estimates suggest that this region is home to around 1 lakh residents. Places like Koliwada and the slums nearby cannot practice social distancing effectively given how tightly packed the homes and residents are.
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