Mumbai has reported a sudden spike in its coronavirus tallies, with infection count surging over 500 cases, 4 times now, since the beginning of February. While coronavirus cases shot up to 504 on February 3, the case rise has been continuous from February 10. Though the rate of transmission stands at 0.1% here, the case count scaled up to the tally of 599 on Friday, marking the highest statistic of the past week. This time period also corresponds with the resumption of the local trains for all passengers, which is being pinned for the unprecedented case escalation in Mumbai, after days of lowering cases.
Local train restrictions to continue as cases swing over average in Mumbai
Though the general opinion is that the permission for local train travel for the general public is the root cause of COVID-rise, officials have disregarded public travel altogether from the list. According to the administration, other means of public commute such as buses, autos and taxis were already plying in Mumbai, beforehand.
Besides, increased testing at arrival points at Mumbai airport and other destinations have said to trace a higher number of cases. Moreover, a significant percentage of the case rise has been noted from upscale regions of the MMR (Mumbai and satellite towns), signalling the local trains alone are not responsible for the infection surge. However, as a precaution, the officials stated that no further relaxations, in terms of time-extension for local commute, will be awarded to the citizens until feasible.
In line with the protocols, the locals are running in specific time slots, during non-peak hours only. Travel for all is authorised in 3 slots during the day, to prevent overcrowding at the platforms or in the rakes. These slots set ticking from 12 PM to 4 PM, during the day, followed by travel after 9 PM until the last service at night. In the morning, the general public is allowed to travel in the local trains before 7 AM. These slots have been designed to keep the trains vacant for essential service providers during peak hours, from 7 AM to 12 PM, and then in the evening from 4 PM to 9 PM.
9 wards in Mumbai report the coronavirus ascent
About 9 of the total 24 municipal wards in Mumbai have reported an upsurge in the COVID case count. While infection in the city has grown by 0.13% over average in the past week, the tally is rising at the rate of 0.14% - 0.21% in these 9 suburban, non-slum areas. These include 5 wards from eastern, 3 from western and 1 ward from central Mumbai.
As per reports, cases in these areas too, have emerged from high-end areas, where people delayed in getting the COVID test, infecting their family and friends. This along with flouting of preventive protocols in several areas of Mumbai may also be held responsible for the coronavirus ascent. Though, not as drastic as the surge of October-November, the elevation of infection graph surely spells danger for Mumbai, implying that the city has to tighten its defence against the pandemic.
