BMC says test more in areas where people have travelled

MUMBAI: As Ganpati festivities in the city wrap up, the BMC has plans to intensify its Covid-19 testing drive.
The BMC said that in areas where it finds a large number of people have travelled and returned, it will either hold testing camps or connect such persons to the nearest civic testing centre. The BMC will also activate all its 266 civic testing centres.
Officials said that amid concerns of the third wave and the recent festive mood in the city, when people were seen stepping outside and visiting others, they wanted to take all precautions.
Additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani said: “We want to trace the infected patients as early as possible so that they do not move out and infect others. Therefore, we plan to test anyone who may be symptomatic and also conduct testing camps where need be.”
He said staff on the ground, like community health workers and ward level staff, had already been asked to identify such localities and act accordingly.
Dr Mangala Gomare, BMC executive health officer, said that while they plan to increase testing, especially in containment zones, by undertaking tests on first and fifth day, the aim is to finally keep the positivity rate below 1%.