Covid-19: How prepared is Mumbai for this novel virus?

Ever since the news of two new confirmed cases of coronavirus came out, there was panic all across the country including in Mumbai.

To address the concerns, State public health minister Rajesh Tope assured the legislators that there was absolutely no need to panic. He further added, “There is no one in Maharashtra, who has been affected with it. We have started screening passengers at vulnerable points such as the airport. More than 61,939 passengers from 12 countries have been screened at airports alone”.

In addition to this, there has been a control room set up in Pune to deal with any situation. There is also a helpline number, 104. People can dial this to get all details about the epidemic. We have also set up isolated wards in each district and our health workers are using N95 mask which is effective in protecting people from getting affected with coronavirus.

The doctors, however, have raised concerns on the preparedness of the state to tackle this virus. The senior doctor said that this virus is a challenge of its kind. He even mentioned that in the past too, hospitals have approached the state government several times and advocated the need for separate facilities to tackle infectious diseases like the novel coronavirus. However, they have been turned down by the government on the excuse of lack of funds.

Despite this, people are stocking up on sanitizers. It is being said hand sanitizers, can reportedly kill the coronavirus (Covid-19) and so people are stalking up the same. In just a day, hand sanitizers have become difficult to find in retail and chemist shops across the city.

To calm the people and to make them aware of the best practices, WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had put up an advisory that people should wash hands frequently. In addition to this, they should use soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer as a measure to prevent themselves against the deadly Covid-19.

 Earlier in the month too there was a shortage of N95 masks in the market and the same were selling for a mark-up price. The condition on the same too remains the same.