COVID-19 cases in Mumbai will decline in 15 to 20 days: Tope

Mumbai, May 8() Maharashtra Health Minister RajeshTope on Friday expressed confidence that Mumbai will see asharp decline in COVID-19 cases in the next 15 to 20 days.

Speaking to , Tope said joint secretary of theUnion Health Ministry Lav Agarwal was in the city on Thursdayto discuss the situation here.

"All ward officers were present at the meeting, whichwas also attended by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Wediscussed corrective measures that were being taken," theminister said.

Agarwal suggested that containment zones be properlydemarcated and contact tracing, testing and treatment ofpositive patients should be done in these areas, Tope said.

Early detection will bring down the mortality rate,the minister said, adding that the government plans toincrease institutional quarantine facilities.

"The Centre wants us to increase disease surveillancein the congested areas to stop the spread of the virus," hesaid.

With the steps taken by the government, the pandemicwill be contained in the next 15 to 20 days in Mumbai, theminister assured.

The state government plans to rope in workforce fromother departments if the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporationfalls short of manpower, the minister said, clarifying thatthere was no shortage of funds.

Of the 17,974 COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, 11,394were reported from Mumbai alone and the city had recorded 437deaths from the toll of 694 in the state. MRARU ARU