Cases in Mumbai surge; BMC intensifies contact tracing, testing

A health worker collects swab samples to test for Covid-19 at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Kurla, on Thursday. Pic/Sameer Markande

With 190 more cases of Omicron detected in Mumbai on Thursday, now it is almost clear that the surge in cases is due to the new variant. However, the BMC and state officials are waiting for the genome sequencing report for confirmation. On Thursday, the city registered 3,671 cases, 40 per cent more compared to Wednesday. Even the test positivity rate (TPR - cases per hundred tests) is now close to 8 per cent.

Passengers show their second dose certificate of the Covid-19 vaccination at Dadar station on Thursday. Pic/Ashish Raje

Testing has already been on at stations where mail or express trains arrive and halt. Due to the recent rise in cases, the BMC has now intensified the tests at all crowded places to monitor the situation in addition to restrictions. Though there has been no rise in the number of booths at railway stations, the existing staff at stations and other crowded areas have been asked to closely monitor citizens," a senior official said.

A health worker collects a sample at LTT, Kurla, on Thursday. Pic/Sameer Markande

BMC officials said that the priority as of now has been airport restrictions. On Wednesday night, the civic body made it mandatory for Mumbaikars flying into the city from UAE to undergo 7-day home quarantine upon arrival. mid-day visited a few busy stations and found testing being done at the usual pace with no addition to the number of booths.

"The BMC has intensified testing across the city, especially crowded places like markets and railway stations. We have been screening and testing all incoming passengers from long-distance trains," Dr Pranita Tipare, in charge of testing, BMC health department. Railway officials said the state has permitted them to penalise people for violations of norms. Accordingly, Rs 500 fine is being imposed on those not adhering to Covid-appropriate behaviour.

3,671
Total new cases in Mumbai on Thursday