COVID-19: Mumbai’s doubling rate slows down

Banganga in Walkeshwar was closed amid the COVID restrictions on Thursday. Pic/Bipin Kokate

The past week's average of 7,000 to 8,000 cases in the city has been termed by the civic body as numbers stabilising; with this, the doubling rate of the city also improved to 50 days after hitting 33 days around a fortnight ago. The state COVID task force has informed BMC officials that the next eight days will be crucial to understand whether the city has hit a peak and if cases are on the decline. Until then, the civic body must be prepared for the worst.

Even as the number of sealed slums in the city stands at 114, the number of households in them is 1.24 lakh and the number of people in the areas is 5.66 lakh.
Wards such as L, covering Kurla, and G North, covering Mahim, Dadar and Dharavi have more slums but have managed to keep the growth rate stable in the past week and the doubling rate to 60 days.

A notice on the gates of a Dadar market informs of restricted business hours. Pic/Ashish Raje

The C ward, which includes Marine Lines, has the lowest doubling rate of 75 days as compared to the neighbouring D ward, comprising Malabar Hill, Gaondevi, which has a high doubling rate of 40 days, the fastest growth rate in the city. G North, L, B, T and C wards have had the lowest doubling rate in the past week.

D ward also has the second-highest number of sealed buildings at 262 out of the total 1,198. Meanwhile, the BMC is preparing for the worse by increasing infrastructure, sourcing oxygen and medicines and increasing the medical staff.

People at a vadapav stall in Charni Road on Thursday. Pic/Bipin Kokate

A senior civic official said, "Our doubling rate is improving now, as the cases have also stabilised. Especially with about 78 per cent of cases being asymptomatic, it is a good sign for us. However, we are still unaware whether the city has hit the peak and cases will decline. As told by the task force, the next eight days are crucial and we are in the ‘wait and watch' mode."

33 days
Doubling rate of cases in Mumbai a fortnight ago

Passport offices closed

All passport office kendras and post office passport kendras have been closed amid the rising cases. An order issues by the state government stated that these offices will be shut from April 23 to 30. People who have scheduled appointments have been asked to reschedule, a press notes states. In case of queries, applicants can contact the RPO Mumbai on 02226520016/17 between 9 am and 4 pm or on email: rpomumbai@mea.gov.in