Thane stops short of 20,000 Covid-19 cases, drop in KDMC areas

THANE: The city stopped short of breaching the 20,000-mark for Covid cases on Tuesday as 212 patients were added, taking the tally to 19,988, while eight deaths were reported, taking the toll to 646. Kalyan-Dombivli, the second worst hit area in Mumbai metropolitan region, on Tuesday reported 154 new cases, that was less than 200 after 50 days.
TMC patted itself on the back, claiming how aggressive testing of suspected patients, defined treatment protocol and increased lockdown tenure helped bring the spike in control over the last few weeks.
There was a rapid rise in cases from 10,000 on July 4 to 15,000 on July 17, and experts were concerned, but luckily cases slowed down and its nearly 18 days now that the city has not touched the 20,000 mark. Neighbouring Kalyan, which saw a similar rise from 10,000 to 15,000 cases within a fortnight, touched the 20,000-mark within a fortnight.
TMC claimed its exercise showed results as active patients here dropped to 3,558 by Tuesday, with an impressive 80% recovery rate; 15,784 recovered, while 529 were discharged, an official said. Covid tests here crossed the one lakh-mark.
“The lockdown helped but we simultaneously ramped up testing and aggressively pursued identifying and treating suspected patients. Our team of 300 is reaching out to maximum residents daily and pursuing high-risk contacts,” said municipal commissioner Dr Vipin Sharma.