Lack of an official database on the number of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths within the system and repeated demands from employees' unions got the BMC working on it a couple of days ago. After almost two months of the lockdown, it has finally come up with the information – 1,529 staffers have tested positive and 25 have died of COVID-19 till now. The civic body has more than one lakh employees and contract workers.

Stating the figures while speaking to the media, BMC chief Iqbal Singh Chahal praised the employees for their efforts and assured that they would get the benefits declared by the central and state governments and the civic body.