BMC states that it is possible to control the spread of coronavirus by mid-July

With an increasing number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has been taking various measures to ensure they contain the spread of the virus. 

As for June 21, 2020, the doubling rate in Mumbai stands at 37 days with improvement noticed in most of the areas. The BMC has also decided to implement action plans across several departments with an aim to improve the duration in areas where doubling rate is less than the average.

Talking about the same, BMC Municipal commissioner, Iqbal Singh Chahal, on Monday, June 22, said that it is possible to control the spread by mid-July. Under his leadership, officials at the Municipal Corporation have adopted the principle of 'testing-tracking-quarantine-and treatment.' 

Besides this officials from the corporation have also asked laboratories to report the details of COVID-19+ patients within 24 hours. Keeping this in mind, the treatment centres, facilities and hospitals are being arranged at a rapid pace.

Currently, Mumbai has a total of 12,000 beds which are available at several hospitals and this figure is more when compared to 3,700 beds which are available in the month of May. The Commissioner also clarified that by the end of June, Mumbai will have 15,000 beds and by the end of July, officials will ensure 20,000 beds are available for the treatment of coronavirus. 

With an increasing number of beds, the focus is also to increase the number of doctors and medical staff. The government has also asked several resident medical officers from different parts of the state the report to Mumbai and help the government in containing the spread of Coronavirus. These doctors are brought from areas with infection level is low. 

Chahal also clarified that the city will have around 700 ambulances and currently, as per data revealed in May, Mumbai had only 100 ambulances. 

Over the last 19 days, i.e. from June 3 to June 22, 2020, the number of coronavirus cases in Mumbai have been under control. Several areas, especially the slums in Mumbai which earlier were reported as the hot spots have shown a drastic improvement. The number of coronavirus cases in Worli and Dharavi have reduced. 

However, on the other hand, parts of  North Mumbai, sare still receiving the most number of cases. Observing this on June 22, BMC also announced a rapid action program where mobile dispensaries and vans will reach the premises for screening.