While a majority of Covid-19 cases in the city are being reported from highrises, the infection is also spreading rapidly in the slums. In the last three days, at least 11 areas with congested housing were declared as containment zones (CZ) after reporting more than five cases. The L Ward, comprising Kurla and Chembur, has the maximum number of CZs.

During the first wave, most of the slums were declared CZz after 60 to 70 per cent cases were reported from these areas. In the second wave too, the administration closed the entry points of many areas to curb the spread. But as the second wave started receding, the number of CZs in slums reduced drastically. There were hardly five CZ pockets in July and by August 13, not a single pocket in the slums reported more than five cases. While there was a small surge in cases when the city reopened in mid-August, the slums didn’t have any CZs.