The standing committee of Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) cleared proposals worth Rs 7.48 crore for various works related to COVID-19 precautions in the city. Among other works, the civic body will spend a major part in COVID-19 testing and buying medicines including Remdesivir injection.
Keeping in mind the possible third wave of COVID-19, the civic body will increase the number of testing. As per the proposal, the civic body will spend Rs 2.7 crore on RT-PCR testing. The civic body has planned to conduct at least 600 RT-PCR tests daily which will be done through MGM Hospital and Terna Hospital labs. Labs at these two hospitals will provide the report within 36 hours. At present, the civic body sends the sample to Alibaug which takes more time to give the report.
At present, the number of active cases under the PMC area is 1406 and it is decreasing daily. However, the civic body is taking all measures to handle the possible third wave which is expected to come by August-September.
The civic body will also pay Rs 4.18 lakh for 10,000 testing kits procured a few days ago. In addition, the civic body will have to pay salaries to employees who have been deputed under the National Health Mission. The civic body will spend around Rs 3.78 crore on their salaries. At present, the civic body has a total of 650 injections of Remdesivir available. However, the civic body will require to buy more in days to come.
