Keypoints:
- BMC may take a call on easing down some restrictions in Mumbai next week. Level of unlocking will not be changed from three or two or one yet.
- On Friday, Mumbai recorded 758 Covid cases and 19 deaths. City’s active case load stands at 18,764.
On Friday, senior civic officials said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will take a call on easing some curbs in the city next week. However, the level of unlocking will not be changed from three or two or one yet. Currently, Mumbai stands in level three. Officials have said that the BMC will opt to change Mumbai’s status from level three. Factors like caseload in adjoining districts and internal medical management will be considered.
On Friday, Municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said that,“The BMC will remain in level three at present.”
Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner incharge of BMC’s public health department said, “We may wait one or two weeks before taking a call on changing the status from level three. In the next week, we may take a call on easing some restrictions, if needed. Changing the status for Mumbai depends on a lot of factors. If we opt for large-scale easing of restrictions at present, and come to a situation where caseload increases rapidly, we will find it difficult to control.”
He also said that the BMC’s decision to be on level three of restrictions is based on its population density, mobility on regular days, and recommendations of the task force. “When the BMC will opt to change its status from level three, we will have to consider a lot of factors, including caseload in adjoining districts, and internal medical management,” Kakani said. “If adjoining districts have a lot of cases during this time, we have to be very careful. We are in constant talks with the task force,” he added.
Currently, Mumbai is left with 10,934 oxygen beds, of which 1,949 are occupied. However, of the 2,635 ICU beds, 1,170 are vacant; of the 1,455 ventilator beds, 504 are vacant.
Kakani said, “The ICU and ventilator bed vacancy is not concerning at present, because of daily caseload. However, if we open up and cases increase rapidly, we can’t take a chance.”
On Friday, Mumbai recorded 758 Covid cases and 19 deaths. The active cases in the city stands at 18,764.
