Four BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) wards in the western suburbs have recorded a 60 per cent to 70 per cent drop in the number of COVID-19 active cases in the last one month. Even though their active case tally has fallen, these four wards continue to record higher fresh case figures than the other wards. As per the latest data, the wards --K West (Andheri (West) and Oshiwara), R Central (Borivali), K East (Andheri (East), Vile Parle (East) and Jogeshwari (East)) and R South (Kandivali)-- have 4,744 active cases, which is 31 per cent of the total active cases in Mumbai. In the past seven days, each of these wards recorded 45 to 70 new cases daily. While in the month of May, they reported 160 to 250 new cases regularly. And, as on May 15, their combined cases was 12,668.
Civic officials said that, due to the high population density, these four wards continue to be on the top of the table for daily active cases. "If we look at the figures closely, we will see that each and every ward has recorded a drop in cases by 60 per cent to 70 per cent in the last one month. However, these four wards continue to record higher fresh cases than the other municipal wards," said the official.
“As per the trend of the spread in the second wave, more than 90 per cent of the cases are emerging from high-rises and all the affected municipal wards have a higher number of residents from high-rises," the official said. At present, KE, KW and RS wards have a growth rate of 0.10 per cent, while RC has a growth rate of 0.11 per cent, which is higher than the average growth rate of Mumbai. At present, Mumbai has a growth rate of 0.09 per cent.
Meanwhile, there are zero micro containment zones (MCZ) or sealed buildings in RN and RS wards. In KW, there are 21 MCZs and, in PN, there are six MCZs. However, each of these wards have more than 300 floors in high-rises that are presently sealed by civic officials.
According to the BMC rules, if there are more than five COVID-19 cases reported from a building, then the entire building will be sealed. Else, only the floors from where the cases are reported are to be sealed.
The officials said that, when the second wave was at its peak between March and April, cases were being reported in clusters that led to more MCZs in the city. "Now, all the fresh cases are being reported in a scattered manner. In every family, there are one or two cases, which is why we need to seal the floors instead of sealing the entire building," said the official.
