Though the number of active Covid cases in Mumbai are continuously on the rise, there are three municipal wards which presently have the sort of growth rates that are a healthcare giver's delight - low, with a doubling period of more than 100 days.
Dharavi has managed to succeed in replicating its own earlier 'model' success story. The areas of Dharavi, Mahim and Dadar fall under the G-north ward of the BMC. This ward was the biggest hotspot in the city, when the pandemic was at its peak in April and May. But now, although there is still a rise in cases, the infection rate has declined.
"We have implemented the Dharavi model all across G-north ward. We are carrying out the maximum number of tests every day, enabling cases to be traced at the earliest and have thus been able to control the infection rate," Assistant Municipal Commissioner Kiran Dighavkar told The Free Press Journal.
Dighavkar informed, presently there were seven Covid testing centres in his ward, where Mumbaikars could get themselves tested for free. Also, to spread maximum awareness, BMC officials have been arranging fever camps and awareness campaigns at high-rises.
"The no-mask action drive is also a reason that people have begun taking personal hygiene and wearing masks seriously," Dighavkar pointed out.
The growth rate in Worli and Prabhadevi areas, under the G-south ward has also fallen. Civic officials attrubuted the welcome development to the negligible number of cases in slums.
"Following the outbreak in the koliwadas at Worli, G-south ward had become a Covid-19 hotspot. But now, cases in slum areas have declined, which is why the infection rate has fallen majorly," a civic health official said.
The BMC war room is on the job 24 hours and any person who complains of symptoms is being tested immediately, the official informed.
"We are not willing to risk anything. Even if anyone reaches out to us and say that they have cough and cold, we get them tested and if required, isolate them also," said the official.
The crowded localities of Dongri and Bhindi Bazar, which fall under the B ward, have been reporting cases in single digits on most days, since August. The civic body has hired medical interns who are manning the war rooms and helping medical workers with contact tracing.
B ward has the lowest case count in Mumbai, with a doubling rate of 116 days.
A health official of this ward pointed out, the reason behind this low case count is the discipline amongst residents.
"B ward is a commercial zone, we have started following staggered timings and have deployed volunteers to supervise people on roads and in markets, to follow distancing policies," local corporator Afreen Shaikh said.
Shops and other commercial institutions in this area have also passed a resolution to not allow entry into their establishments to customers who are not wearing masks.
"We have pasted stickers outside shops and maintained that people won't be allowed inside if they are not wearing masks. Also, there are BMC marshals fining people, which has ensured that people are disciplined now," said an official.
Overall average growth rate in Mumbai - 0.81 % Doubling period - 86 days
Growth rate in G-north (Dadar, Mahim and Dharavi) - 0.60 % Doubling period - 115 days
Growth rate in G-south (Prabhadevi, Worli and Lower Parel) - 0.49 % Doubling period - 140 days
Growth rate in B ward (Bhindi Bazar and Dongri) - 0.60 % Doubling period - 116 days
