The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Thursday made clear that swab collection centres in the city will not be closed, despite the novel virus is flattening its curve here. The testing centres will continue for the next six months.
The municipal corporation has claimed the situation of COVID-19 is under control. The two well-established COVID-19 designated hospitals will be enough for the city. As a result, seven out of 11 COVID-19 Care Centres in different parts of the areas are closed while only four are allowed to operate.
On the other hand, the move to close more centres came after the officials from the administration complained that the number of people has gradually gone down. “There is a low count these days for testing. However, all the centres will remain open so to avoid the inconvenience to the citizens,” said Dr Sanjeev Wavre, Assistant Health Officer, PMC.
Currently, the tests are conducted at 18 locations, including 15 PMC regional offices. From March to August, 8,000 people per day were examined. From the last two months, the number of testing has dipped down to 2,500-2,300. These days 1,000-2,000 tests per day are done from private labs.
With the fear of rising cases of COVID-19 in December, the health system at all levels will be intensified. The Swab Collection Centre will continue for the next few months. As a precautionary measure, it will be extended from December. Pune Mayor Murlidhar has also made clear that the administration is ready to tackle every situation for the second wave of the infection and currently the situation is under control in the city.
