Check ward wise COVID cases in Pune, Now positive cases doubling rate is 21 days

Pune, July 28, 2020: Considering the increasing number of Coronavirus disease (COVID19) in the city, it is estimated that by the end of August, the number of positive cases will reach two lakh in Pune. The number of patients receiving treatment by August is also expected to reach one lakh. Anticipating the growing number of patients, the city will have to arrange about 80,000 beds.

To ensure adequate healthcare services to the upcoming number of patients, the administration has planned to set-up three jumbo COVID Care Centres in Pune. These establishments will add 2,400 new beds.  One of the three centers will be operational by August 15, while the other two will be operational by the end of August, said Saurabh Rao, Officer of Special Duty (COVID), Pune.

1,200 patients are being detected every day: According to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the total number of Coronavirus positive patients till date has reached 49,217 out of which 29,489 have been cured while 1182 have died. There are still 18,546 active patients undergoing treatment in various hospitals. They include 744 critical patients out of which 97 are on ventilator support.

The city has been infected with the coronavirus since March. Initially confined to densely populated areas like slums, the corona outbreak has spread to all parts of the city now. Various preventive measures are being implemented at the municipal level to break the chain of corona infection. However, the number of patients in the city has increased significantly since June. With the increase in the number of corona tests, at least 1,200 patients are being detected every day. But now there are fears that the number could rise exponentially.

Pune District Collector Naval Kishore Ram said, “Pune is conducting one of highest numbers of COVID tests in the country. Therefore, there is a rise in cases now but in the long run, it will be proved beneficial. We have tested 457608 samples until now. More than 10 persons are being traced against one positive person.”

Civic authorities brace for one lakh COVID infected crowd: Initially, the municipal corporation had estimated that there would be 50,000 patients in the city by July 31. At present, the number of patients in the city is about 45,000. According to the new estimates of Smart City and Municipal Corporation, there will be 60,000 patients in the city by the end of July 31. In the first two weeks of August, the number will reach one lakh. After that, in the remaining fortnight, it is expected that there will be an increase of another one lakh patients.

Patients in the city are being treated in municipal as well as private hospitals. Considering the increasing number, about 80,000 new beds will have to be made available. At present, private hospitals are saying that beds are not available to patients. Similar complaints have also been lodged with the Divisional Commissioner’s Office, District Collector, and Municipal Health Department. Efforts are being made to increase the capacity of beds and the Municipal Corporation has started the process of taking possession of educational institutes and hostels for Corona Care Centers. However, the challenge of providing a large number of beds will be before the health department of the corporation.

In Pune district, the total number of cases has reached 72,782. Dr Bhagwan Pawar, District Health Officer (DHO), said that out of total 72,782 patients 45,835 have been cured and discharged from hospitals, while 1737 people have died. There are still 25,161 active patients undergoing treatment including 915 critical patients. Most of the patients are from PMC area.

The 72,782 patients include 46,786 from PMC, 17,641 from Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), 756 from Pune Cantonment, 521 from Khadki Cantonment, 261 from Dehuroad Cantonment, 5278 from Pune rural areas and 1539 from municipal council (Nagar Parishad) areas in the district.