BMC is testing at 65% of its capacity

Even as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) increases the number of tests conducted for Covid-19 in the city, experts have urged the civic body to expand the scope of testing. At present, BMC is at 65% of the official testing capacity.

According to the BMC, around 4,500 samples are tested daily. The official testing capacity of private and government labs is over 7,000 samples a day.

“We have extended the lab capacity as a precautionary measure if Covid-19 cases spike further. We are conducting enough tests every day,” said Dr Daksha Shah, deputy health officer, BMC.

BMC’S data shows that between May 13 and 23, despite the increased testing capacity, fewer than 4,500 tests were conducted on many days. For example, BMC conducted 2,673 tests on May 13; 3,112 on May 14; 3,260 on May 18; and 3,209 on May 22.

The data also shows 32 of every 100 tested samples are Covid-positive. Most tests are conducted in containment zones and hotspots. “As these areas have the highest number of cases, the rate of identification is also high. This means we are testing the right section,” said Suresh Kakani, additional commissioner, BMC.

Experts said the identification rate shows more tests are needed. “Mumbai has a population of over two crore. We are testing around 4,500 samples which is far from adequate. The more we test, the more we identify, and the more we can stop the chain of infection,” said Anant Bhan, global health expert.

However, laboratories say they’re working at capacity. “Every day, we get over 600 samples. Some days, it goes over 900. This causes a pile-up of samples and we fail to give reports within 24 hours. At present, I have 300 samples that came on Friday,” said a lab technician from a private laboratory.

For those with severe cases of Covid-19, delays in receiving results can be critical.

On May 10, a 35-year-old resident of Vakola developed a fever. After an X-ray indicated he had pneumonia, he tried to get himself admitted but was refused by two hospitals. On May 13, he tested for Covid-19 at Hinduja Hospital. The test results came on May 16.

“No one agreed to admit him without a Covid-19 test. For 48 hours, he was at home without any medication,” said the patient’s brother. The patient died in hospital, a few hours after being admitted on May 16.

The Association of Medical Consultants (AMC) has criticised BMC’S Covid-19 policy. “First, as patients don’t get treatment until they get the report, their health deteriorates. Then they are rushed to hospitals, and collapse within hours. As there is no policy to treat suspected patients, they are either kept at home or quarantined in facilities. Due to this, more people get infected,” said Dr Deepak Baid, president, AMC.

Despite the state government’s advisory last month to defer rents by three months, landlords and homeowners have now started putting pressure on tenants to pay the rent or face eviction.

Landlords have pointed out that for a majority of them, rent is the main source of income. The tenants meanwhile contend that they have not received income for the last two months and are in no position to pay up.

“I have had no work since the last three months due to the lockdown and I can’t pay the rent. The landlords need to reduce the rents,” said Amrutaa Dasgupta, an actor who resides at Yari Road. “As the landlord was pressuring me, I had to ask the police to intervene as there was no way I could even vacate this place,” she said.

The state government on April 17 had issued an advisory asking landlords and homeowners to defer collecting rents by three months given the lockdown has affected the source of income of many people.

However, landlords have defended their stance, pointing out that even they have expenses. “I have to pay my EMIS and will not be able to pay them if I don’t get the rent. If the tenant delays, the bank will charge me interest for the same,” said Chandramohan

Sharma, who has rented out his premises at Juhu.

Some property owners have given discounts to their tenants. “I have asked my tenant to pay half the rent since even they have no income. However, it is not possible to waive off the entire amount as even my expenses will get affected,” said Sachin Gala, who is renting out his Hindmata flat.

According to Liases Foras, a real estate research firm, there are at least 5.50 lakh houses in Mumbai that are put on rent. “The condition will only worsen in the coming days, especially due to job losses and salary cuts,” said Pankaj Kapoor, CEO, Liases Foras.