Although health experts have said that COVID-19 is reaching the endemic stage right now, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) thinks otherwise.
The civic body explained that the coronavirus will be considered a pandemic until at least 80 per cent of Mumbai is fully vaccinated. The BMC’s caution is understandable given that the city has recorded nearly 300 cases each day of August so far. Health officials are also issuing warnings for a potential third wave of infections between September and October.
Read - Maharashtra: Districts Showing Upsurge In COVID-19 Cases To Witness Curbs, Says Rajesh Tope
“Until 80 per cent population of the city is fully vaccinated, we will continue to consider Covid-19 to be in a pandemic stage,” Additional Municipal Commissioner, Suresh Kakani said. BMC’s data shows that only 24.9 per cent of the 96.7 lakh eligible citizens (18+) have been vaccinated with at least one dose so far. Only 24.15 lakh people in this age group have received both doses of the vaccine.
Mumbai started witnessing a gradual increase in the positivity rate from 0.7 to 0.9 per cent over the past few weeks. Meanwhile, the city registered over 300 COVID-19 cases each day last week. The city added 345 new cases on Sunday, August 29, while the positivity rate went back to 0.7 per cent.
The BMC has urged citizens to get tested as soon as they experience any of the common COVID-19 symptoms. “Citizens should get tested for Covid-19 immediately if they come in contact with Covid infected patients or find any symptoms in themselves. Free Covid test facility on behalf of BMC is available at more than 250 centres in the city,” the civic body said in a statement late last week.
Also read - COVID-19 Vaccination: Maharashtra Will Take A Year At Least To Fully Inoculate All Adults
Share
Tweet
