In continuing trends since cases started rising a month ago, 90 per cent of the COVID-19 cases have been coming from buildings as people who travel have to get tested
Health workers at the Mumbai international airport. Many cases are being found in high rises as those travelling out of the state or coming to the state are having to get tested. Pic/Sameer Markande
Even after an eight-fold rise in COVID-19 cases over a month, the trends of 90 per cent of the cases being from outside slums and 80 per cent of patients having mild or no symptoms continue. The only difference is that people from high rises are coming forward to do tests as it is mandatory for travelling.
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It has been a month since the city started witnessing a rise in COVID-19 cases. The cases increased from 375 per day to 2,877 per day, an eightfold rise in a span of 37 days. On February 19, when the city reported 823 fresh cases and had 6,577 active patients, civic officials told mid-day that over 90 per cent of cases are from areas other than slums and only 20 per cent are showing symptoms that need hospitalisation. On March 18, the city registered 2,877 cases and the number of active patients swelled to 18,424. “Even now in L ward, where 75 per cent people reside in slums, 95 per cent cases are coming from buildings. Less than 10 per cent of people have symptoms. Most of the patients are quarantined in their homes,” said Dr Jitendra Jadhav, medical health officer of L ward, comprising Kurla and parts of Chembur.
Most wards have similar trends. Prashant Sapkale, assistant commissioner of K East (Jogeshwari East, Andheri East and Vile Parle East) said, “Since last month, most of the patients are at home with very mild symptoms and over 90 per cent cases are from high rises.”
Sandhya Nandedkar, assistant commissioner of R north (Dahisar) said, “Residents go for tests as it is mandatory for travel by air. Many got tested after attending gatherings and marriages to avoid risk. Many cases have a travel history and when someone returns after travelling, one or two family members get infected.”
The health officer from Byculla (E ward) said, “Earlier, people did not come forward for tests but now they are doing it before travelling for religious or official tours as it is compulsory. Tests have also increased as people started travelling in local trains and experienced mild symptoms.”
A BMC official said on the condition of anonymity that though the rule of 50 people in marriages and functions is followed in the city, it might not be followed in other areas. People attend such marriages or gatherings and get infected, the official said.
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