Mumbai: Get tested, BMC urges citizens as third wave threat looms

BMC reiterates early diagnosis is key to arrest further spread of virus, asks people with symptoms to take Covid test early

AMID relaxations in Covid-19 restrictions and the predicted third wave, the BMC has issued a fresh advisory, urging citizens to get tested if they have symptoms or were in contact with an infected person. It currently conducts an average of 32,000 to 35,000 tests daily.

The Delta variants of novel Coronavirus has already spread across 11 countries, including India, raising fears that it could drive the next wave of infections across the world. Though vaccination appears to prevent the progression of illness to a large extent, early diagnosis is the key to preventing further spread of the disease, which in turn ensures recovery of patients and reduction in hospital load.

The BMC has established over 250 centres, including municipal dispensaries, maternity homes, ward offices, Covid-19 centres, etc., where RT-PCR and Antigen tests are available for free. The list is both on the BMC's website and with Ward War Rooms, to help citizens find the nearest free testing centre and get a timeslot.

Furthermore, it has requested citizens to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and avoid crowded places. "Senior citizens, people with comorbidities (lung, heart, liver or kidney diseases, diabetes, neurological or blood disorders), pregnant women and cancer patients are requested to avoid stepping out of their homes," read a press statement by the BMC.

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