Pune: Mobile swab collection centre inaugurated at Bibwewadi

Pune: Bibwewadi ward office of the Pune Municipal Corporation has started a mobile swab collection centre to conduct COVID-19 tests of citizens who are wary of visiting the public swab collection centres for the fear of contracting coronavirus infection at the centres itself due to the crowding at those places.

Conducting rapid COVID-19 tests is the key to curb the spread of coronavirus in the city. Several complaints about delay in conducting tests at the swab collection and testing centres, shortage of testing kits are actually demotivating citizens from getting themselves tested for COVID-19.

Many senior citizens want to get tested, but they do not prefer to go to the testing centre for the fear that the crowd at the swab collection centre will actually pass on the coronavirus infection to them. Besides, some citizens can't wait for long in the queues at these centres. Therefore, for those who want to get tested, swabs are being collected from their home.

The mobile swab centre was inaugurated by collecting swabs of 65 citizens from Konark Garden Society. Dr Rupali Budhkar, Dr Pritam Gavade, Bibwewadi Ward Office Assistant Commissioner Ganesh Sonune and Health Inspector Sachin Pawar were present during the inauguration ceremony and the tests were conducted under their guidance.

This year Ganeshotsav will be celebrated in a simple and low key manner so there will be no crowding. However, Ganesh Mandals should get citizens in their respective areas tested for Covid-19 and avoid further dangers.

Ganesh Sonune, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, Bibwewadi Ward Office said, "This initiative is being implemented at the society and community level and the citizens should get themselves tested for COVID-19 so that further precautionary and preventive measures can be taken."

Suryakant Khandve, a citizen said, "This is a commendable initiative implemented by the Pune Municipal Corporation and the citizens should come forward and conduct investigations voluntarily. The senior citizens of society have benefited from this."