Mumbai: Mask up, civic-run hospital personnel told as city witnesses surge in Covid cases

The rise in COVID-19 cases across the city has becomes a cause for concern for the authorities. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed all civic-run hospital personnel to start wearing masks and this time it is not an appeal but an order.

Apart from doctors and staff, masks will be mandatory for patients and their relatives, too. Patients will undergo COVID-19 testing before surgery and if they test positive and it is not an emergency, surgery should be postponed.

Amid a rise in cases, Iqbal Singh Chahal, the civic administrator, held a meeting on Monday with the additional municipal commissioner (health) and other officials, including the deans of civic-run hospitals and medical colleges.

At the meeting, the civic chief instructed the central purchase department to review the availability of gloves, masks and PPE kits, as well as the stock of medicines and essential medical equipment required by all BMC hospitals in the fight against COVID-19.

He emphasised an increase in testing and asked Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Sanjeev Kumar to hold a meeting with private medical laboratory operators as soon as possible. He also instructed that ward war rooms should be functional and if they need manpower, to ensure that it is provided.

Seniors should wear masks

An appeal was also made for senior citizens to wear masks. Considering the level of public contact, all BMC employees have been asked to use masks. Visitors to municipal offices will be politely requested to wear masks. Giving utmost priority to safety, masks are being made mandatory for all employees, patients and visitors to BMC hospitals. A notice in this regard will be issued by the health department.

Also read: Maharashtra logs 328 fresh Covid-19 cases, one death

Dr Shailesh Mohite, the dean of HBT Medical College and Cooper Hospital, said, "Masks will be mandatory for all those coming to the hospital. We will provide
masks to patients and tell relatives to wear them when they enter the hospital premises."

Be ready, pvt hospitals told

Chahal also asked private hospitals to be prepared to deal with COVID-19 as they have done in the past. Executive Health Officer Dr Mangala Gomare said, "Masks will be mandatory in hospitals for everyone. Even people above 60 and suffering from several ailments must use masks. We will focus on testing more people." Meanwhile, many private hospitals said they are continuing with masking.

No hugging, kissing, handshakes

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a circular stating that people should avoid hugging, kissing and handshakes while at least one-metre physical distance should be maintained. The IMA also stated that there is no role for antibiotics so they should be avoided by doctors while treating COVID-19 patients.

Low testing rate

People with symptoms have been refusing to get tested, which may have allowed virus to infect more people. The vaccination drive has developed a false sense of security, and so we have lowered our guard, the IMA stated.

April 10
Day the meeting was held