The three-member inter-ministerial central team(IMCT), comprising officials of various departments, is inPune since Monday to review the pandemic situation in thecity, which is second only to Mumbai in terms of reportingcoronavirus cases and deaths in Maharashtra.
"The team visited several facilities such as fluclinics, mobile clinics, COVID-19 care hospitals, quarantinefacilities and also paid a visit to slum pockets in BhavaniPeth, one of the worst-affected areas in terms of number ofCOVID-19 cases and deaths," said Pune municipal commissionerShekhar Gaikwad.
The team also inspected swab collection procedures andinteracted with people ho are currently in quarantinefacilities.
Gaikwad said the issue of medicines for COVID-19patients was also discussed.
"As far as distribution of hydroxychloroquine tabletsat mass level is concerned, the team said they are going tosuggest the dose. But it will happen only if the ICMRgives approval for it," he said.
Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, is beingtouted as game changer in fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said during interaction with the team, they sought15,000 to 20,000 rapid testing kits from the Centre for Pune.
The team consisted of members from the NationalDisaster Management Authority, home and civil suppliesdepartments.
The Pune division has so far reported 754 COVID-19cases and 59 deaths. SPKRSY RSY