Covid cases in Thane witness slight increase

THANE: The city of Thane and district have seen a marginal rise in Covid cases in the past week after markets were allowed to open up, official data reveals. Data shows that while 49 positive cases were reported on August 9, a day later the number dropped to 34 only to rise to 56 and settled at 57 on August 14 in Thane city. The numbers in Thane district also saw a rise from 183 to 233 in the same time frame.
Even as the positivity rate was 2.1% last week, it slid to 1.6% till August 15 even as it saw a slight jump to 1.7% mid-week, reveals xdata from Thane municipal corporation.
Activists said any rise is expected, considering that a major chunk of the population, including the unvaccinated, that was till now restricted from movement will start moving around. The core market areas have been witnessing crowding through the last week as shops have been allowed to operate till late, said observers.
Nonetheless, experts said any slight northward movement of cases shouldn’t be taken lightly, considering the third wave threat that could be lurking. “It is natural for people to flock outside after being locked up for long, but we must not forget that any slip-up could cause an escalation in infections, something that was noticed before the second wave,” said an activist.
Civic officials meanwhile justified the rise, though marginal, was being taken seriously and clarified that the overall positivity rate was low due to increased safety measures adopted by residents and intensified vaccination drives and prompt detection of susceptible cases by the administration.
“There is a rise in cases but it is minor and the situation is in control. However, irrespective of the wave coming or not, it is imperative for residents to remain careful and follow all safety protocol,”said Dr V Deogekar, medical officer of health at the Thane corporation.