BEST not much hit by Covid second wave

The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has not been affected adversely by the ongoing Covid-19 second wave, like the way it was hit hard during the first wave, last year.

According to data shared by senior BEST officials, during the month of July and August in 2020, total 1,224 positive cases were reported from the organisation. During this time the pandemic was at its peak in Mumbai and the daily infection rate had also increased.

As compared to last year, the peak of the second wave was recorded during the month of March and April in 2021 and during these two months, the recover y rate in the undertaking was not less than 95 percent. The data also states that with progress in time the infection rate in the undertaking also declined. Af ter the lockdown was imposed, the BEST undertaking played a pivotal role in ferr ying frontline workers and passengers. Owing to the suspension of suburban railway, the BEST had emerged to become the lifeline of the city. As a result, BEST workers were never off duty and the infection rate had automatically shot up during the pandemic last year.

"When the second wave arrived, we were already prepared and were equipped with our last year's experience. Our workers are aware of the safety measures and they practised all the Covid appropriate behaviours regularly," said Dr Anil Kumar Singhal, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), BEST.