Mumbai: Covid samples to be tested at NIV in Pune, says BMC

Travellers arrive wearing masks at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport, on Saturday. Pic/Satej Shinde

While Mumbai has its own genome sequencing lab, the BMC will be sending the Covid positive samples to the National Institute of Virology in Pune, sources told mid-day. The decision has been taken in order to get early results of sequencing.

The Union health ministry had instructed all states to conduct genome sequencing to keep track of any new variants. The BMC has its own genome sequencing lab at Kasturba Hospital, which has been in use since July 2021. The last report of genome sequencing was published in the first week of November where all 234 samples were found to be sub-variants of Omicron. Since the number of daily cases dropped to less than 10 after that, the BMC hasn't been getting many samples to run the test. The lab can test 384 samples simultaneously and the cost of sequencing them is R10,06,500. To carry out sequencing with fewer samples is hence, not financially viable, the source said.

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During the initial year of the pandemic, the BMC sent samples to NIV, Pune. It decided to procure its own lab, as NIV was burdened with samples from all over the state. Since NIV doesn't have a large quantity of samples as yet, the BMC has decided to get the lab to carry out the test instead. Sanjeev Kumar, additional commissioner of the BMC, confirmed the development. "We will be sending the samples to NIV, Pune," he said.

Meanwhile, the BMC issued guidelines in accordance with the Central and state government's advisory. The BMC has appealed to wear masks in public and maintain physical distancing rules. The civic body also stressed the need to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and quarantining at home when feeling sick in order to curb the spread. The BMC is also focusing on the vaccination drive as only 15 per cent have taken the booster doses.

At present, two hospitals have been dedicated to treat Covid-19 patients - Seven Hills (1,700 beds) and Kasturba (35 beds). Along with this, four state-run hospitals - Cama (100), St George (70), Tata Memorial Centre (16) and Jagjivan Ram (12) - and 26 private hospitals with 871 beds will be available for Covid patients. All hospitals admissions will be managed by ward war rooms.