Covid-19: Viral Infections In Mumbai To Peak Around June 10, Says BMC Commissioner

The chief of India’s richest civic body expects the number of infections caused by Covid-19 virus in Mumbai to saturate by around June 10.

We’re streamlining the procedure that will aid people getting hospital beds, IS Chahal, commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, said at a panel discussion hosted by India Today news channel.

“I have also increased the lines (telephone connections) of helpline number 1916,” the newly appointed official said. “I’m ensuring that nobody gets a busy tone there and bed allotment becomes smooth.”

Chahal has his task cut out as the number of people infected by the virus in India’s financial capital, among the world’s densely populated cities, has crossed 30,000—causing more than 1,000 fatalities. Among the city’s localities where infections are zooming include Dharavi, a sprawl of shanties spread over 240 hectares with a population of 8.5 lakh and over 13,000 small businesses.

On hospitals facing a shortage of ambulances, Chahal said, “Mumbai has 456 ambulances. All the 456 ambulances are properties of government,” he said, adding: “I took 300 Innovas (Toyota Innova MUVs) from transport commissioner—like during elections, you requisition these vehicles with drivers.”

The commissioner also said he has borrowed 50 mini buses from the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport and converted them into ambulances.

When questioned about the unavailability of personal protective equipment kits for health care workers, Chahal said, “That was an old story. My procurement of PPE kits have gone from 40,000 to 2.5 lakh”.

Chahal also said if any ambulance driver or private doctor in Mumbai is found without free PPE kits, he can be held responsible.

The commissioner provided statistics on tests conducted by the civic body. “Mumbai has done 1.75 lakh tests which is the highest number of tests done in the country by any one city.”

The city, he said, has tested 13,000 people per million—higher than Delhi’s 7,000 people per million, 2,000 in Gujarat or 1,800 in Bengaluru.

Other Highlights:

• If not for lockdown and containment measures there would have been four lakh cases instead of 33,000 today.
• 4.06 lakh migrants have left Mumbai till Monday evening.
• BMC is trying to increase testing.
• The civic body is planning to setup 100,000 beds, including 6,000 critical beds.
• In all Covid-19 bed expansion plans, we’re not encroaching on existing non-Covid beds.
• Mumbaikars needn’t be scared with the numbers.
• As long as Mumbai’s death rate equals national average of 2.53%, there’s no reason for alarm.