'Mumbai Covid cases will decline in 15 to 20 days,' says Maharashtra Health Minister Tope

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Friday expressed confidence that Mumbai will see a sharp decline in COVID-19 cases in next 15 to 20 days. Speaking to PTI, Tope said joint secretary of Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal was in city on Thursday to discuss situation.

"All ward officers were present at meeting, which was also attended by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. We discussed corrective measures that were being taken," minister said.

Agarwal suggested that containment zones be properly demarcated and contact tracing, testing and treatment of positive patients should be done in se areas, Tope said. Early detection will bring down mortality rate, minister said, adding that government plans to increase institutional quarantine facilities.

" Centre wants us to increase disease surveillance in congested areas to stop spread of virus," he said.

With steps taken by government, pandemic will be contained in next 15 to 20 days in Mumbai, minister assured. state government plans to rope in workforce from or departments if Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation falls short of manpower, minister said, clarifying that re was short of funds. Of 17,974 COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, 11,394 were reported from Mumbai alone and city had recorded 437 deaths from toll of 694 in state.