BMC to test hawkers, helpers and shopkeepers for COVID infection

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMMC) has started COVID-19 testing of the possible super spreaders of the infection from Monday, November 16 onwards. These include hawkers, shop owners, helpers, transporters in the crowded markets, and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) drivers. The civic body of Maharashtra is expecting an increase in positive cases because of crowded shopping areas and public transport systems.

Suresh Kakni, Additional Municipal Commissioner, BMMC, has asked all municipal hospitals to test admitted patient before discharging them, the ones visiting the out-patient-department in hospitals, patients in dispensaries, health workers, and security staff in the hospitals. According to Dr Gulnar Khan, a medical officer covering Andheri West of Mumbai, no trend of increase in cases has been noticed so far.

Experts have indicated a possible second wave of COVID-19 after Diwali. The festival period has observed increased socialising of the population, with many not even wearing masks and maintaining social distance.