Keypoints:
- Antigen testing centres will be set up outside malls and a team of healthcare workers will be deployed at crowded areas, including markets and railway stations.
- Rapid antigen detection tests are quicker and take up to 30 minutes as compared to RT-PCR tests that typically take at least 24 hours to give results.
- Rapid antigen detection tests are quicker and take up to 30 minutes as compared to RT-PCR tests that typically take at least 24 hours to give results.
Amid the rise in COVID positive cases, the BMC on Friday has decided that they will conduct random antigen tests at all crowded public places such as malls, markets, shopping complexes, bus stations and railway stations.
Senior BMC officials said that antigen testing centres will be set up outside malls and a team of healthcare workers will be deployed at crowded areas, including markets and railway stations.
According to ICMR guidelines, the ones who are symptomatic and have tested negative for Covid 19 in the rapid antigen tests should go for RT-PCR test as well.
The total caseload in Mumbai now stands at 3,52,835 and the metropolis witnessed 3,21,947 total recoveries. The Mumbai division has reported 5,190 new cases and 14 deaths.
At present, 8,13,211 people are in home quarantine, while 7,079 infected people are in institutional quarantine centres. Mumbai logged the highest-single day spike on Thursday since the pandemic broke out. The commercial capital recorded 2,877 cases, as per the state health bulletin.
The officials told the news channel that in crowded places like malls, it becomes difficult to check for asymptomatic coronavirus patients, which is likely to spread the virus. “So either the people show their negative report before entering a mall or be ready for the swab test,” he reportedly said.
BMC officials have ruled out the likeliness of a night curfew and lockdown in the city. However, the checking at public places including bus stops, public parking lots, outside eateries will be increased.
