The next 10 days will be crucial to control the spread of coronavirus in the city in view of Diwali and Chhath.
The administration is taking steps to expedite testing to ensure curb of further spread of the virus.
“We need to be careful in the coming days because of Diwali and Chhath. We should continue to avoid crowding, wear masks and follow social distancing. This will reduce the chances of spread of the virus. If we remain serious about the protocols the virus will further reduce significantly,” said an official. The recovery rate of COVID-19 patients has improved from 87.32 per cent to 88.82 this week at Tata Main Hospital.
Moreover, on an average 20 positive cases are being reported every day. No death has been reported in the past five days.
The spread of coronavirus continues to decline in the city. The data available at leading health hub Tata Main Hospital (TMH) only goes to show that the situation has returned to normal.
“ While studying the trend of the virus we have found that it is on the decline. We need to be careful during the festive season. Any kind of environmental pollution could be hazardous for Covid patients who have residual symptoms along with breathing difficulties due to lung fibrosis. With
Diwali round the corner, bursting of crackers will add more suspended particulate matter to the atmosphere and could severely affect patients with lung diseases,” said an official.
The official said that they are spreading awareness requesting the public not to burst fire-crackers. The administration is well aware of the fact that the alarming level of air pollution, common during Diwali, may cause difficulties for Covid patients who are on oxygen therapy as well as those who have recovered from post-Covid complications.
“ We are keeping an eye on crowding during the festive season. The slight decline in daily cases in the last few days should not be taken as the end of the virus. Forget about a second wave, the first wave would not be over till Diwali,” he said.
“We need at least 15 straight days of decline in Covid-19 cases to talk about a plateau (a stage before the number of new infections begins to fall),” he further noted.