Full lockdown if violations continue: Mundhe

Nagpur: Municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Saturday warned of reimposing full lockdown and curfew on lines of other cities if violations of guidelines meant for containing spread of novel coronavirus continued.
Alarmed by the steep rise in Covid-19 positive cases as well as deaths since easing of lockdown norms from June 1, Mundhe appealed to people to follow restraint and discipline. He also stated that FIR will be registered against violators from Monday.
As per data released by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Saturday, 1,337 corona positive cases were registered between June 1 and July 10 in the city whereas the number was 495 between March 11 and May 31. Doubling rate also drastically reduced to 18 days from 49 while number of deaths surged to 17.
Following spike in cases since ease in lockdown, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli and Mira-Bhayander municipal corporations have reimposed full lockdown. Lockdown will be reinforced in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad from July 13.
Mundhe told TOI that there were less cases in city during full lockdown when guidelines were followed. “Rules were relaxed to resume economic activities and social life but people stopped following government and NMC guidelines, leading to spike in cases,” he said.
He emphasized that pandemic can be “controlled easily if all ensure Covid distancing, wear masks in public, follow respiratory etiquette and avoid spitting in public places.”
“Norms formulated for shops and private establishments too are not being followed. Enough chances have been given but from now on stringent action will be taken against violators,” he said.
Citing cases when some people had tried to refuse admission in isolation wards after testing positive, he said, “It will further increase cases. They should get admitted immediately for the sake of own and society’s safety. Some people are not consulting doctors despite showing symptoms, which might lead to deaths as has happened in the last few days.”
“Testing has increased, rapid antigen tests and antibody tests have started, Covid-19 patients are also being treated at private hospitals, all types of facilities are being given at quarantine centres, and Covid Care Centres have been set up for asymptomatic patients. Now people should cooperate with authorities. Anybody having health problems should compulsorily consult doctors. Anyone can call the NMC control room and seek help,” he said.
Mundhe said Nagpur Central Jail has emerged as new hotspot as over 300 tested positive while many prisoners yet to be tested. “Early detection of cases and treatment will help in keeping mortality low and containing spread of Covid-19. We will have to prevent emergence of new hotspots,” he said.