Seal bldgs with 10 or more cases: TMC

THANE: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) chief has given directives to seal buildings that have 10 or more positive cases and the areas with more than 15 positive cases within a 200m radius will be declared as containment zones.

A day after TMC noted a 50 per cent per day spike in the positivity rate of Covid cases, civic chief Vipin Sharma held a special meeting with officials and various authorities.

In the last two days, 405 establishments were given notices to follow strict Covid guidelines and awareness-related public announcements were made in 105 places across the city. Hospitals have been alerted and within a week, the parking plaza near Jupiter hospital will be converted into a Covid facility with 1,177 beds and 981 oxygen beds. Global Covid hospital already has 553 oxygen beds, 226 ICU and 1,024 beds.

“Since the onset of the lockdown we have been consistently conducting more than 5,000 Covid tests every day. However, in the last one week, looking at the drop in cases, we had reduced the number of testing to 4,000 per day. In the last one week, there has been a notable spike in cases. If it continues for the next few days as well, we will have to take stringent measures,” said Sharma.

Testing at bus stands and railway stations had seen a lapse as it was getting difficult to trace those who visited from long distance trains or buses.

TMC has been continuously recording a daily positivity rate of two per cent to 2.4 per cent since February 12. Wednesday saw a spike in the daily positivity rate to 3.2 per cent (113 positive cases) and on Thursday, it increased to 5.1 per cent (203 positive cases). Although it has gone down to 3.8 per cent (138 positive cases) on Friday, TMC has warned residents to follow strict Covid protocols.

“Malls, hypermarkets, restaurants and hotels should also conduct temperature checks and screen visitors. They should follow social distancing and ensure masks are worn by staff and visitors alike. We have also reached out to auto drivers and ensure they are in proper uniform with masks at all times,” said Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner of Police, Thane.

Announcements in public places including market areas and strict surveillance for those flouting Covid rules are being made. Moreover, fogging, spraying of disinfectants and similar activities will also be carried out regularly to maintain hygiene and cleanliness.