The number of daily COVID tests declined by almost 16 per cent during Diwali, from an average of 35,257 tests daily in October to 29,777 during the first week of November. The number of new COVID cases, too, dropped below 200. The city had earlier reported such a low number of cases in the early phase of the pandemic, the first week of April 2020. However, the decline in new cases may be the result of fewer tests conducted during the festive season. 

Additional BMC Commissioner Suresh Kakani said, “We are doing target testing rather than just increasing the number of tests. Tests of vulnerable people who have symptoms or are visiting hospitals are conducted. Even the test positivity rate is declining, which is a positive sign.”