Mumbai: June data on Covid-19 mirrors December figures, when the first wave receded

A health worker tests an arriving passenger at Dadar station on June 27. File pic

The city's Covid-19 situation for the month of June resembles November and December in 2020 when cases were on the decline after the peak of the first wave. In June, Covid-19 cases reduced to 20,290 from more than 50,000. The average test positivity rate (TPR) came down to 2.5 per cent but the number of deaths was still on the higher side at 519.

The second wave started receding in May itself, but its fat tail continues. While cases were less as compared to May, the daily average for new cases was 725. The city recorded more than 54,000 cases and 1,656 deaths in May.

BMC health workers at Dadar station on June 26. File pic

In a trend similar to June's, November and December 2020 recorded 860 and 650 daily average cases respectively after the peak. The cases declined further in January and the second wave emerged in mid-February. In November, the city saw 544 deaths which came down in December to 306.

Amid the fear of the third wave and returning of migrant workers, the municipal corporation has increased testing. Till June 28, 8.1 lakh tests (RTPCR and antigen) were conducted in the city with a TPR of 2.5 per cent, which is the lowest to date. In May, the city conducted 8.34 lakh tests and the TPR was 6.5 per cent.

"Even after the peak of the first wave, the cases declined at a slow pace. A similar situation can be seen now. But we have increase testing now and the TPR of RT-PCR tests is below 5 per cent, which is a positive sign," said an official from the BMC.

Numbers in the second and first wave

2021
Month Cases Deaths
March 96,590 230
April 2,29,172 1,547
May 54,550 1,656
June 20,290 519

2020
Month Cases Deaths
Sept 60,547 979
October 50,914 1,606
November 25,776 544
December 20,151 306

8.1 L
No. of Covid-19 tests in city till June 28