20 February,2021 07:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Prajakta Kasale
People seen passing by the skywalk at Akurli road, Kandivli, not wearing their masks properly. Pics/Satej Shinde
Even as the BMC tries to figure out what exactly is leading to the sudden surge in fresh cases across the city, data reveals that more than 90 per cent of cases reported in the last 10 days are from high-rises. But, these are not concentrated in one place, unlike in the past. Hence, most people will not face restrictions in movement even if the civic body seals buildings.
Also, the corporation is going slow on taking stringent actions and is emphasising more on awareness as the situation is still under control.
The city reported more than 800 fresh cases on Friday, almost double than what were there a fortnight ago. The BMC has announced various measures, including sealing of buildings and stricter quarantine rules.
"In the last 10 days, 387 cases were reported in buildings and four cases in slums of Mulund. Around 30 per cent of T ward residents stay in slums, hence more than 100 cases should have been reported from there. But hardly 1 per cent cases have been reported from slums," said Kishor Gandhi, assistant commissioner of T ward. He added that the 387 cases were reported from over 190 buildings, hence there were hardly two to three cases in buildings.
"More than 90 per cent of the cases has been reported in buildings but it's not concentrated in one place. That's why the corporation has taken the decision to seal the buildings which have more than five cases," said Ajitkumar Ambi, assistant commissioner of N ward. Though the ward hasn't seen any sharp rise in cases, it has only about 21 sealed buildings.
Though the reason behind the spread is still not clear, BMC officials think that they need to step up contact tracing and testing.
"One building was sealed in G North on Friday. Though the number of cases has increased over the past couple of days, they are mostly from high-rises in Mahim and Dadar," said Kiran Dighavkar, assistant commissioner of G North ward, comprising Mahim, Dadar and Dharavi. The ward has only one sealed building in Mahim.
Meanwhile, the ward offices have started sending notices to marriage halls, clubs, restaurants and bars to remind them about the restrictions on the number of people and social distancing rules.
"If they don't follow the rules, action will be taken. Currently we are emphasising more on awareness as the situation is still under control," said an official on condition of anonymity.
Another BMC official said, "The percentage of symptomatic cases is lower than it was in the past. More than 80 per cent of the new patients are asymptomatic and are quarantining at their homes. We have enough facilities and more restrictions on movement of people will create panic."
