Pune: The swab collection centers of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are receiving twice the number of visitors as compared to their actual capacity of taking daily samples. Most of the crowd consists of panic-stricken individuals, who insist to get tested despite their reports coming negative earlier. As a result, minor clashes also take place at these centers, as the PMC health staffers refuse to entertain these citizens.

The PMC has started swab collection centers at its ward office level to facilitate the testing of citizens for COVID-19 disease. However, the proximity of these centers has prompted citizens to visit these facilities frequently and get their samples tested, even if they were diagnosed COVID-negative earlier.

PMCs health staff has complained about the unruly behaviour of certain citizens at the center who were not entertained by the staff. Health employees also find it difficult to manage the crowd. Also, the risk of infection due to the unnecessary gathering at these locations is a cause of concern for all.

PMC officials said that the medical officers at the swab collection centers are authorised to take a decision regarding the collection of samples and that all medical officers follow the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines for sampling.