Pune city COVID-19 case doubling rate now 11 days: Civic chief

Pune, May 8 () The time taken for COVID-19 cases todouble in Pune city in Maharashtra has now improved to 11 daysfrom seven days late last month, a senior civic official saidon Friday.

As per data released by Pune Municipal Corporation,the number of COVID-19 cases on April 25 was 1,122 whichincreased to 2,040 on May 6.

"We have increased swab collection centres and some ofthem are near hotspots. So more and more people are comingforward to get themselves tested. On Thursday, over 1,000tests were carried out," said PMC Commissioner ShekharGaikwad.

Speaking on the doubling rate, he said, "As per thelatest information, the doubling rate is 11 days now, whichshows improvement in the overall situation," he added.

He said an advertisement for doctors in civic-runhospitals has got over 500 responses and some of them will beappointed on contract basis soon.

He said the PMC had distributed ration to 70,000families living in hotspots.

"A demand is coming from people of some of these areasthat shops selling essential items be closed for 15 days asthere is enough ration with families for the next 15 days.This is to minimise movement of people within these zones," hesaid. SPKBNM BNM