Screening camps set up for shopkeepers

In a bid to prevent community spread of the deadly COVID-19, BMC's H West ward has started screening hawkers, fruit and vegetable vendors and even shopkeepers for its symptoms across all areas in its jurisdiction. In two days -- July 21 and July 22-- the civic body completed screening 701 people falling under these categories.

The H (West) ward consists of Bandra west, Khar west and Santacruz west.

On July 21, the civic body set up health and screening camps at Pali Naka and Bandra west station between 10 am t0 2 pm, where 347 people were screened. Following this, on July 22, during the same time, the civic body tested 354 hawkers, fruit and vegetable vendors and shopkeepers at Khar west station.

"The campaign started on July 21 and will go on till July 24. The initiative is part of our aggressive screening campaign. Following Mission Begin Again, markets have opened up, so have shops in all areas. Hence, screening will provide us a heads up in terms of those showing symptoms. We also inquire with those coming up for screening if they have come in contact with any COVID-19 positive patients recently. Our teams are stationed at designated places for the screening campaign," said Vinayak Vispute, assistant municipal commissioner of H (west) ward.

Vispute added, "Screening will help us in the early detection of cases, and early detection will lead to early treatment to the patients, thus saving lives." On July 23, the civic body set up the screening camp between 10 am to 2 pm opposite Tequila Restaurant on Santacruz west station road. On July 24, the camp will be set up at the same time opposite Bandra Supari store.