Pune: About 50% new COVID patients found outside containment zones, PMC to issue new order
Pune, June 16, 2020: The containment zones were marked in the city to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus have got success to some extent. However, after relaxation in lockdown, the whole scenario has changed. Out of 2312 new patients found between June 1 and 11, a total of 1083 patients are from outside the containment zones, states a report of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
According to the PMC health department, the first Corona patient was found in Pune on March 9. Since then, patients have been reported from almost every area under the PMC limit. Till June 15, the total number of COVID patients in Pune city has reached 9890 out of which 6446 have been cured while 458 have died. As the number of patients kept increasing, PMC identified some spots/areas where maximum cases were reported and declared them as micro containment zones, thus restricting the movement of people there. Only essential commodities shops are allowed to open in containment zones.
PMC officials said that out of 1681 patients found in the city between May 4 and May 11, a total of 1259 patients were from containment zones and the remaining 422 patients were from outside. Between May 18 and May 31, a total of 2961 new cases were reported after the lockdown rules were relaxed to some extent. Of these, 1637 patients were from containment zones, while 1324 were from outside. From June 1 to 11, however, 2312 new patients were registered, out of which 1083 patients are from outside, while the remaining 1229 patients are from the containment zones. Therefore, with the increase in the number of patients, it is seen that the number of patients outside the containment zone is also increasing.
PMC commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad said that the municipal corporation has now adopted a policy of declaring the area where the increase in COVID19 is seen as a new containment zone and opening the area where there are no new cases. Until a vaccine or drug is found, the same policy will be adopted to deal with coronavirus infections. Therefore, citizens need to take care of themselves.
Dr Ramchandra Hankare, PMC health department chief, said that there is a need for citizens to be vigilant. Don’t go out if you don’t need to, follow the rules of masks, personal hygiene and physical distance when going out for work. If you get any symptoms of the disease, go to the doctor immediately, appealed Dr Hankare.
Dr Deepak Mhaisekar, Pune Divisional Commissioner, said that a large number of corona patients are being found outside the containment zones in Pune city. Therefore, new containment zones will be identified. A review was held on Saturday and Pune Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad will issue the order accordingly.
