Be ready to be randomly tested at crowded public places. With the test positivity rate (TPR) hovering around 1 per cent and amid the looming threat of the third Covid-19 wave, the BMC has planned to set up Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) desks in places like malls, railway stations, etc. BMC Additional Commissioner Suresh Kakani said, “The idea is to detect the asymptomatic patients at the early stage. It may also help us understand the pattern of infection spread.”

Kakani said that all the 24 ward offices have been directed to identify the spots in their wards where the RAT desk can be set up. “Our present focus is to conduct as many tests as we can. We will monitor the number of tests done ward-wise and the number of cases detected,” he added. Presently, the number of tests done daily in the city is between 35,000- 50,000, and the TPR was 1.20 per cent on Sunday and 0.91 per cent on Monday. Health experts, who had been suggesting more tests in Mumbai, have welcomed the BMC’s decision.