Covid-19: Mumbai's average daily cases up 45 per cent in September

Rise is despite Mumbai’s 90 per cent adult population getting at least one dose; access to locals, festive season possibly behind virus spread

The average daily cases in the city jumped 45 per cent last month compared with August, in what could be the fallout of the reopening of local trains for the general public and the festive season. In September, the average daily numbers stood at 434, up from 298 in the previous month. After the festive season began last year, numbers had doubled in September.

In February this year, citizens were allowed to access locals at the end of the first wave, cases had risen sharply, registering a 21 per cent growth against January.
The graph of daily cases that was on the decline since the peak of the second covid wave in April has once again turned upwards. From a total of 2 lakh cases in April, the figure had slipped to about 9,252. However, between September 1 and 29, Mumbai recorded 12,595 new cases—that’s a 36 per cent rise month over month. Authorities say there is absolutely no room for complacency and people must stick to masks, personal hygiene apart from vaccination. 

While the average daily cases have soared, fatalities have so far maintained a falling trend.

The virus claimed 133 lives in September against 143 in August.

The present situation has some similarities with February when cases went up after citizens was allowed to travel by local trains. The impact was more in March when cases increased by six-fold. 

This time, however, the state government allowed local access from August 15 to fully vaccinated citizens who have completed 15 days after the second dose. 

While daily cases had gone up from 1,000 to 2,000 in the festive season, which started with Ganeshotsav, the impact is a bit lower. This could be because nearly 90 per cent of Mumbai’s adult population has got at least one dose and about 45 per cent is fully vaccinated. Of the city’s approximately 90 lakh residents above 18 years, 81 lakh have got at least the first jab, with 40 lakh receiving both shots. “There are a few cases where people are getting infected even after two doses. Vaccines surely reduce serious symptoms, but people have to observe COVID protocols like wearing masks and following social distancing,” said Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner.

Meanwhile, active cases have also increased. The city had 4,724 active cases on September 29, including 2,278 symptomatic and 273 critical patients. On August 31, there were 3,106 active cases of which 1,339 were symptomatic and 400 critical. 

434
Average daily cases in Sept

298
Average daily cases in August

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