Over 60 BEST staffers test positive for Covid-19

BEST staffers take a break at Dharavi bus depot. File pic

At least 66 staffers and officials of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past few days, an official said on Wednesday. BEST spokesperson said that 60 per cent of them tested positive during screening at BEST depots.

"Around 60 per cent cases were detected at the time of ‘Point of Care' testing facility in depot premises. Almost all patients have mild symptoms, but as a precautionary measure, we have hospitalised 40 and 10 of them have already been discharged. The overall recovery rate is 96 per cent," said Dr Anil Kumar Singal, pulmonologist and BEST's chief medical officer, said.

"To mitigate the impact of third wave on BEST employees, more than 100 awareness lectures have been arranged since December 21. In addition, more than 10,000 employees have been screened for diabetes and other comorbidities, over 1,000 employees underwent RT-PCR tests at the workplace too. In addition, 700 employees have been screened for Vitamin D deficiency and more than 150 employees underwent X Ray of chest at depot premises," Singal said.

In December 2020, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) picked the BEST Undertaking, the only transport organisation in India and across the globe so far, for best health and wellness approach for its 34,000 employees, while handling the pandemic. BEST undertaking has been at the forefront with buses remaining operational throughout the lockdowns.