Trouble in Kharghar and Panvel areas as COVID-19 cases increase

After spike in cases, the local body has started to seal buildings found with a cluster of positive patients

The situation is turning grim in Kharghar and other areas within the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits. A single building has recorded 36 COVID-19 positive cases, some of these are children.

A Kharghar-based doctor, requesting anonymity, shared, “As per data available with PMC, on April 9, 529 new cases were reported and 3,798 active cases were registered in the corporation limits. About 126 cases were reported in Kharghar itself. Ideally, behind every positive case, 25 low-risk individuals should be traced, tested and quarantined on the first day as well as on the seventh day. If this is not done, a separate chain gets established, adding more potential super spreaders. Low testing and inappropriate enforcement of quarantine by local ward office creates such situations.”

A large number of societies with more than five positive cases have even been converted into micro-containment areas. The doctor added, “Sector 4 of Kharghar has two buildings [Seawood Heritage and Balaji Prangan; adjacent to each other] which have witnessed a large number of COVID-19 positive residents. The PMC ward office has put a banner outside the gate, converting it into a micro-containment zone.”

Mangal Kamble, President of Swachh Kharghar Foundation, said, “The number of cases is increasing and we are struggling to get hospital beds. I don’t think the PMC was even prepared for a second wave. It allowed contractual doctors to leave abruptly, without realising that experienced hands are required to overcome any pandemic.”

36
No of residents found positive in one Kharghar building

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