If violations continue, full lockdown: Tukaram Mundhe

Nagpur:- Municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned on Saturday that complete lockdown and curfew would be reimposed on lines from other cities if violations of guidelines meant to contain spread of novel coronavirus persisted.

Alarmed by the sharp increase in Covid-19 positive cases as well as deaths after lockdown requirements were loosened from June 1, Mundhe appealed to citizens to obey caution and discipline. He also said that from Monday, FIR will be reported against violators.

According to data released on Saturday by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), 1,337 corona-positive cases were reported in the city between 1 June and 10 July, whereas the number was 495 between 11 March and 31 May. Doubling rate also fell significantly from 49 to 18 days, though deaths rose to 17.

Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli and Mira-Bhayander municipal corporations have reimposed full lockdowns following a increase in cases after ease in lockdown. Lockdown from 13 July in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad will be improved.

Mundhe told that, when protocols were followed, there were fewer cases in town during full lockdown. “Rules were relaxed to restore economic and social life but people stopped following the guidelines of the government and the NMC, leading to a spike in cases,” he said.

He stressed that the pandemic can be “managed easily if everyone maintains distancing Covid, wearing masks in public, upholding the respiratory etiquette and avoiding vomiting in public places.”

“Norms which are formulated for shops and private establishments are not followed either. Enough chances have been given but stringent action against violators will be taken from now on, “he said.

Citing cases in which some people had attempted to refuse admission to isolation wards after positive testing, he said, “This will increase cases further. They should be immediately admitted for the sake of self and the safety of society. Some people do not seek medical advice while showing symptoms, which could lead to death as has happened in the last few days.

Testing has increased, rapid antigen tests and antibody tests have begun, patients with Covid-19 are now being treated in private hospitals, all forms of facilities are being provided in quarantine centers and asymptomatic patients have been set up in Covid Treatment Centres. People should be cooperating with authorities now. Anyone who has health problems should consult doctors compulsorily. Everyone can call the control room at the NMC and request assistance, “he said.

Mundhe said Nagpur Central Jail has emerged as a new hotspot as more than 300 positively screened while many of the prisoners have yet to be checked. “Early detection and treatment of cases would help to keep the mortality low and control Covid-19 spread. We’ll need to prevent new hotspots from emerging, “he said.