BMC sets up 160-bed quarantine facility at St Xavier's College amid rising Covid cases

Amid rising Coronavirus cases in Mumbai, a 160-bed quarantine center has been set up at St Xavier's College by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). College has provided its hall, canteen foyer, and XIMR terrace to BMC. As per details on official website of college, centre will be used to quarantine people who had contact with Covid-19 patients but tested negative.

Speaking to Republic World, Rajendra D. Shinde, Principal of St. Xavier's College said that while  BMC wanted to set up a facility for around 100 beds, college administration has provided canteen foyer and XIMR terrace to increase capacity. Shinde also told Republic World that college administration has set up Corona Helpline to aid students regarding queries related to new sessions, exam dates, etc. Fr Keith D'Souza, rector of college furr informed that that 90 more beds will be set up at  XIMR terrace.

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When asked about facilities provided by College to stranded outstation students, Shinde said, " hostel is closed due to BMC orders issued in March 2020. So we can t provide hostel facilities to stranded students. cafeteria is also closed. However, we have formed groups of stranded students. We are in touch with m for ir needs, etc. We were able to help a few to provide vehicle and police clearance (e-passes) and y have left for ir residence." However, he added that due to changing rules of e-passes, College administration has been facing difficulties. 

Talking about or initiatives taken by St. Xavier's College, he said that it has sent 1000 food bags to Dharavi and has sponsored plastic face visors worth Rs. 1,00,000 for police Mumbai Police. College is also sending medical kits to Kasturba Hospital through Urja Foundation, he added. 

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Measures by BMC amid rising cases 

Earlier on May 21, BMC directed civic officials to acquire at least 100 beds, including 10 in ICUs, of private nursing homes and small hospitals in all 24 wards of Mumbai in wake of rising number of COVID-19 cases.  civic body has also set up quarantine facilities at Mehboob Studios in Bandra, JJ School of Applied Arts, auditorium of DG Ruparel College in Matunga. It had also written to Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to handover Wankhede stadium to convert it into a quarantine center. 

Meanwhile, as lockdown restrictions were eased throughout country, BMC issued revised protocols for sealing of buildings. According to protocol, if a COVID positive case has been found in a society or a building, entire building need t be sealed, instead only particular floor can be sealed. It furr stated that maids, vendors, or service providers will be allowed entry in any building. 

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Mumbai Covid tally

Mumbai has recorded its highest one-day increase in number of coronavirus patients earlier on Friday. With this,  city's tally has reached 27,068, said BMC. Furr, with 27 new deaths, death toll due to pandemic in country's financial capital reached 909. 329 COVID-19 patients were discharged from city hospitals during day, taking number of recovered patients to 7,080.

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