Mumbai's Covid-19 cases on a rise in the first six days of September
The increase in number of cases have left BMC officials worried ahead of the festive season, beginning with Ganesh Chaturthi on September 10
There has been a cause of concern in Mumbai, as the first six days of September had to bear witness to a surge in Covid-19 cases. According to data from Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city recorded over 28% of the total Covid-19 cases recorded in August, between September 1 and 6. In the first six days of September, Mumbai had already reported 2,570 Covid-19 cases, as per data from the civic body.
The increase in number of cases has left BMC officials worried ahead of the festive season, beginning with Ganesh Chaturthi on September 10.
Not third wave
Though the city has reported an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, BMC said that it was not the beginning of a third Covid wave. However, it added that the next 30 days would be crucial.
BMC has attributed the surge to relaxations given in the last one month. It recently allowed malls and restaurants to be reopen. Also, the shops can stay open up to 10.00 pm. Further, fully vaccinated citizens were allowed to travel on local trains from August 15. Due to these relaxations, there could be a possibility of a spike in cases.
The civic body has also decided to ramp-up testing from around 30,000 to 35,000 samples daily in the first week of August to 40,000 to 45,000 samples in the first week of September. The BMC officials will further increase the number of testing in the coming days. Hospitals in the city have been asked to stay alert and work towards arranging oxygen cylinders medicines and essential injections by the BMC.
No public in pandals
As civic officials project a further spike a fortnight following the Ganesh festival, all types of procession or gathering and physical darshan of devotees inside Ganesh pandals have been banned. However, BMC has asked the management to arrange for online darshan.
It has also limited the number of people to 10, during the immersion of the idol in the case of Ganesh mandals and not more than five for those who are taking the idol home. BMC has also asked those who take part in the immersion to be fully vaccinated.