Mumbai: 36 per cent rise in active COVID-19 cases in city since Feb 8, says BMC

Amid a spike in coronavirus infection in parts of Maharashtra Mumbai has witnessed 3638 per cent rise in the active COVID19 cases since February 8 as per the city civic bodyCareless attitude of citizens allowing the general public to travel in local trains and opening of various other commercial activities were among reasons behind the current surge in COVID19 cases here civic officials saidThe countrys financial capital reported 5335 active COVID19 cases on February 8 and the number went up to 7276 on Sunday according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations BMC dataNotably on February 8 the city had recorded its lowest average growth rate of COVID19 cases at 012 per cent and the highest average doubling rate of 574 days as per the statisticsAt present Mumbais average growth rate of COVID19 cases is 020 per cent and the average doubling rate is 346 days according to the dataThough the daily COVID19 cases have been rising in the city the number of fatalities remained low around three to five every day as per the dataAccording to BMC officials the surge in daily cases started in the second week of FebruaryOn Sunday Mumbai reported over 900 COVID19 cases as compared to less than 500 daily cases in the first week of FebruaryCivic officials said there are various reasons for the rise in cases like careless attitude of people towards COVID19 protocols allowing the general public to travel in local trains opening of malls offices hotels and restaurantsBMCs Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani said as restrictions were eased crowds were witnessed at various marriage functions other social events and in malls restaurants pubs and clubsThe number of passengers in local trains also increased from eight lakh in Januaryend to 22 lakh after all members of the public were allowed in February he saidMany people are behaving as if the COVID19 threat is not there They are not following protocols at public places Kakani saidAccording to the BMC it has already increased daily COVID19 tests from around 15000 earlier this month to over 22000 nowAmong the positive cases the number of asymptomatic persons is more Kakani saidThe civic body is also trying to find out if the virus has mutatedKakani said they have already sent 90 samples to the Punebased National Institute of Virology to check for any mutation of the virusIt takes 10 to 15 days to get the report from the institute he saidSince last week the BMC has intensified action against those found without masks in public places and started a crackdown on establishments like marriage halls hotels and restaurants which are found violating the COVID19 normsThe civic body has also filed police complaints against some establishments in the last few days officials saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever