Country Park follows suit

Home to 450 families, County Park in Borivli has set up its own COVID-19 isolation centre with four beds. This can be extended up to eight beds, if needed, said Kunal Mainkar, treasurer of the society's cultural committee.

He stated, "The reserve funds of the housing society committee was utilised to set up this isolation centre and it cost them around Rs 35,000. The centre is equipped with an oximeter, pulse metre, stock of prescribed antiviral drugs, and one oxygen machine. Moreover, as seven to eight doctors are residents of the society, they have agreed to assist whenever needed."

Mainkar emphasised that the reason to introduce this facility is to immediately isolate their building residents if anyone tests COVID-19 positive and does not require to go to the hospital for treatment. The society has converted the 2,000 square feet club house into a temporary isolation centre, which will remain active till the coronavirus scare prevails. Ramesh Prabhu, president of Maharashtra Societies Welfare Association, has welcomed the move. He told the Free Press Journal, "I am happy that societies are setting up their own isolation centres, considering the burden hospitals already have due to the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai. Moreover, housing societies that do not have club houses, or are not big enough, have purchased a pulse oximeter, temperature gun and oxygen cylinder. If at all there is any emergency, they would be able to assist the ailing patient."