'COVID-19 treatment facilities to be ramped up, 1 lakh beds soon': BMC Commissioner

Speaking to media on Sunday, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Iqbal Chahal revealed that civic body shall soon increase bed capacity for COVID-19 treatment to one lakh in Mumbai. Till 6 pm on May 16, Mumbai has reported 18,396 COVID-19 cases and 696 deaths. Chahal also mentioned that an 800-bed facility at MMRDA ground in Bandra-Kurla complex will start functioning from May 18 onwards. ting that parking lot at Mumbai airport could be used to accommodate 50,000 beds,  BMC Commissioner also said that beds could be put up at two parking lots near Santacruz and Breach Candy Hospital. 

Read: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray & 8 Ors Elected Upposed To Legislative Council

'We are t taking over cricket stadium' 

Meanwhile, Chahal dismissed possibility of converting Wankhede Stadium into a quarantine facility. To buttress his point, he cited that an open ground would t be useful for this purpose during upcoming monsoon in Mumbai. Stressing that most of COVID-19 cases were being reported from 690 containment zones in Mumbai, he informed reporters that civic body's ambulance strength had been increased from 80 to 350. 

BMC Commissioner remarked, "We are t taking over cricket stadium or any or open because, in Mumbai, it sometimes rains continuously for a week. It will t be useful at all for administration to take care of people." He added, "We need to think before taking over any ground for COVID-19 treatment ahead of monsoon. Even Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had instructed me to consider monsoon challenges before making any plans for a new facility."

Read: 7 Cities In Maharashtra To Have Maximum Restrictions During Lockdown 4.0; Details Here

vel coronavirus crisis in Maharashtra

Currently, re are 30,706 confirmed vel coronavirus cases in Maharashtra out of which 7088 patients have been discharged while 1,135 casualties have been reported. After Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's specific request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during latter's video-conference with CMs, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies have been deployed in Mumbai, Pune, Malegaon, Amravati and or places so that state police can get rest. Earlier in day, state government extended lockdown in entire state until midnight of May 31. phase-wise relaxation shall be tified in due course of time. Centre is yet to issue guidelines for fourth phase of nationwide lockdown. 

Read: Maharashtra COVID-19 Cases Top 30,000; Death Toll Mounts To 1,134

Read: Coronavirus Live Updates: Cases At 90,927, Five States Extend COVID Lockdown Till May 31

(With PTI inputs)