Coronavirus Pune: Doubling rate improves, PMC expects 7,500 active cases by June-end
The cases in Pune are constantly rising, but it has shown an improved doubling rate. Now, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) authorities expect only 7,500 active cases by June 30.
Shekhar Gaikwad, the PMC Commissioner, said, "With cases now doubling every 14 days, our projected figure for active cases by June-end should not exceed 7,500. The number is far below the Central team's dire prediction of cases crossing the 10,000-mark in Pune city by May-end."
With 1,200 samples a day, Pune has increased its testing rate. Gaikwad said since the testing rate is increased to 1,200 per day, it is natural to detect more number of COVID-19 cases in the city. According to reports, Pune district has recorded 3,018 positive cases with 2,500 active cases. The city has reported over 350 deaths, and the commissioner claims that most of the patients have diseases like asthma, diabetes, hypertension, etc.
"The deaths in the city, including COVID-19 fatalities, are 200 to 300 below the usual figures in a given period [March-June] over the past few years. So the situation is not abnormal," added Mr Gaikwad.
PMC officials request people of Pune to follow all the guidelines and be extra vigilant.
Most of the areas in Pune are now open, with few containment zones under strict lockdown rules. The commissioner also added, "There is nothing to get scared of the novel coronavirus, which is just another flu. Our future awareness campaigns in the city will be emphasising this point as well."
Dr Deepak Mhaisekar, Pune Divisional Commissioner, said out of 3,018 cases there are only 35 per cent active cases till date. A total of 5,203 patients have recovered, which accounts to 60.74 per cent of total cases.
In Pune rural areas, cases have been on a decline; it is due to the effective contact tracing said Naval Kishore Ram, Pune District Collector. There was a steep rise in cases after migrants returned from Mumbai. Ram believes that "Staying on high alert and strictly adhering to physical distancing measures helped us check the spread of the virus. The measures also helped reduce the potential viral load on Pune city."
