After being held responsible for the high mortality rate among COVID-19 patients in the city, 27 nursing homes, which were earlier barred from admitting COVID-19 patients, will be allowed to do so again starting from September 15. Due to the growing cases and the chaos of looking for beds, BMC is focusing on increasing the number of ICU beds at jumbo facilities and these nursing homes will help add 351 more ICU beds.

The decision was taken on Monday at a meeting with Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal following which an order was issued. According to the notice, the state government's regulation of price capping for 80 per cent of the beds reserved for COVID-19 patients will apply to the 27 nursing homes, too.