Navi Mumbai, Panvel badly hit by second COVID-19 wave

People being tested at Sea woods Grand Central Mall in Navi Mumbai. Pic/NMMC

As in the rest of the state, the second COVID-19 wave has hit regions under Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) very badly. The number of cases recorded in both the corporations in the month of March 2021, nearly equal cases reported altogether in previous four months. These active cases in both the corporations are also at an all-time high. The only silver lining is that COVID deaths have not increased significantly.

The sharp rise in the positive cases has forced the Maharashtra government to impose new curbs and night curfew. NMMC had reported 10,110 cases in the month of March 2021, which is slightly less than the total of positive cases reported from November to February (10,878). In PMC, March witnessed 5,735 cases which is also little less than the total cases - 5,749 - found in those 4 months.

'Admin under pressure'

"The sudden rise in the positive cases has put the administration under lot of pressure. As of March 31, we have 6,136 active cases. If the daily cases kept rising for another week, there will be a terrible situation," said an officer from NMMC.

"But despite the increased number, we still have 144 ICU beds and 82 ventilator beds available. There are also a number of oxygen beds available for patients with
moderate to severe symptoms. Mild and asymptomatic patients have 407 beds available," he added.

However, there is no significant rise in the COVID-19 deaths. NMMC reported 55 deaths in March which is the highest since January 2021. PMC reported 28 deaths during the whole month which is highest since November 2021. But the deaths haven't increased significantly in the past 4 months - NMMC: 219 deaths, PMC: 93 deaths.

"The wave is reported in the whole state, PMC is no exception. Of all active cases, 85% are in home quarantine. From the rest only 1% to 2% have moderate to severe symptoms. It is more than a year since the pandemic outbreak and citizens need to adhere to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. Self-discipline is a must to tackle the spread," said Sudhakar Deshmukh, Commissioner, PMC.

Abhijeet Bangar, commissioner of NMMC said, "All I can say is that the situation in NMMC is very grim. On April 1, we had 971 cases and I believe the number will not go down soon. We still have a high number of asymptomatic patients which is a cause for concern as it has aided the spread. Every person should be vigilant now as bed availability is low. The administration working day and night, but now citizens must stop the spread by adhering to safety measures."

Pandemic numbers

NMMC
. 6,136: active cases (till March 31)
. 55: deaths (till March 31)
. 10,110: positive cases reported in March 2021
. 10,878: cases reported from Nov to Feb

PMC
. 2,465: active cases (till March 31)
. 28: deaths (till Mar 31)
. 5,735: positive cases reported in March 2021
. 5,749: cases reported from Nov to Feb