The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has changed its discharge policy again and has decided to test low symptomatic patients on the fourth day of admission if symptoms disappear and discharge them the next day if the report is negative. Earlier, the BMC would discharge the patients on the tenth day without testing.
BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal had earlier authorized a directive to the hospitals and the COVID-19 care centres regarding the same. Several civic officials have stated that many people who showed symptoms of the coronavirus and were admitted to the hospitals, showed no symptoms in a couple of days. Chahal has further asked for the testing of these patients on the fourth day and discharge them if the results turn out negative.
The BMC in order to ward off the coronavirus has further launched 'Mission Universal Testing'. Chahal had earlier given instructions in this regard to the concerned officials in a meeting held on Tuesday. This initiative aims to trace, test, and provide medical treatment to citizens in order to control the spread of the coronavirus.
The BMC has acquired one lakh antigen testing kits which are to be used across government hospitals and the COVID-19 Care Centres. As the test results are obtained within just 15-30 minutes, it would be possible to provide immediate treatment to those who are affected with the coronavirus. The civic body has further requested 35 large private hospitals across Mumbai Municipal Region to purchase and use these government-approved antigen testing kits. Additional 2,000 tests per day will be conducted on high-risk groups. Therefore, the current average of 4,000-4,500 tests daily will go up to 6,000-6,500 tests.
The citizens of Mumbai can now get themselves tested with an e-prescription from the doctor. The elderly would now be able to stay and home and not take the hassle of going out to get a test done.
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