PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to close down the civic-run Covid Care Centres in the next few days, in view of the drop in daily case count and active cases.
Last month, the PMC had set up five centres across the civic limits, for asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms. Authorities said the centres would remain closed for now, but they would be reopened if the case count went up.
However, thee civic administration said that the swab collection centres would continue to function. At present, around 14 swab collection centres are operational.
An official from Nagar Road-Wadgaonsheri ward office said, “A Covid Care Centre was operational in the Kharadi area. Admissions to the centre have reduced in last two weeks. Patients that were admitted to the facility have been discharged. We will close down the centre in the next few days.”
The PMC had commenced one centre in each civic zone. “During the recent surge, most patients preferred home isolation because of mild symptoms. Even the recovery period was of around seven days.”
The civic administration said the infrastructure would be kept ready even though the facility would not be functioning.
The staff deployed at these Covid centres and other facilities have been told to rejoin their original departments and duties. The Covid-related works are now being handled by the staff from the health department and ward offices, the authorities said.
Sanjeev Wavre, assistant medical chief at PMC, said, “We are continuing with the functioning of swab collection centres. Residents are appealed to undergo the tests in case of onset of symptoms,” he added.
