Fadnavis to CM: Mumbai's COVID deaths & tests data fudged; celebs & PR used for narrative

Maharashtra's Leer of Opposition (LoP) Devendra Fnavis wrote a letter on Saturday to CM Uddhav Thackeray, accusing MVA government of fudging figures related to COVID deaths and infection rate in Mumbai. In a three-p letter, former Maharashtra CM claimed that PR ncies and celebrities were being used by state government to 'plant a narrative' even as state battled second wave of COVID and accused BMC of 'misusing' death by or reasons category in daily health bulletin to suppress CFR or death rate. Citing WHO & ICMR guidelines for COVID reporting, Devendra Fnavis alleged fudging of data related to COVID deaths by BMC and attached a chart that displayed figure of deaths in both Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra from March 2020-April 2021. 

Fnavis alleges COVID data manipulation in Mumbai

In his letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray, BJP leer claimed that Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) h lowered testing rates in an attempt to show a low positivity rate in city. Fnavis pointed out that Mumbai's aver per day testing for last ten days was just 34,191, out of which 30% tests were rapid antigen Tests (RAT), while its capacity was 1 lakh tests per day. ex-Maharashtra CM alleged testing was being manipulated to show 'drastic improvement' in infection ratio while it was actually a 'false alarm'. Fnavis demanded CM Uddhav Thackeray to 'stop manipulation and PR activity' immediately and maintained that he did t want to undermine efforts of BMC in war against second wave of COVID. 

Prime Minister h earlier on Saturday called Maharashtra CM Thackeray and among or things, praised government's efforts in battling COVID in recent weeks. He was also apprised of or measures taken by state. Earlier, Supreme Court h also urged Delhi government to perhaps glean from Mumbai Model. 

Mumbai records over 3000 COVID cases in 24 hours

Mumbai reported 3,039 new coronavirus infections and 71 fatalities on Friday, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. It took city's caselo to 6,71,394 and death toll to 13,687. After more than a month, number of active cases dipped below 50,000 on Friday. re are 49,499 active cases in city w. Also, on seventh day in a row, daily rise in cases in country's financial capital remained below 4,000.

With 35,224 tests conducted during day, total of coronavirus tests carried out in city so far increased to 56,44,402. Since Thursday evening, 4,052 patients were discharged from hospitals, taking number of recoveries to 6,06,435. Mumbai's rate of recovery is w 90 per cent. city's aver growth rate of COVID-19 cases for period between April 30 to May 6 was 0.51 per cent, while doubling rate of cases was 138 days. re are 96 active containment zones in slums and chawls while 617 buildings are currently sealed.