The Bombay High Court was hearing a PIL, filed by a local NGO, All Maharashtra Human Rights Welfare Association, seeking that drugs used to treat COVID-19 patients be made available directly at hospitals, isolation and quarantine centres where such patients were being admitted. The plea claimed that since drugs crucial to treat COVID-19, such as Remdesivir and an injection Actemra, are available only at select chemists, a patient loses much time in availing treatment.

The Bombay High Court today directed the State Government to file a reply to a PIL seeking that drugs used to treat COVID-19 patients be made available directly at hospitals, isolation and quarantine centres where such patients were being admitted so that timely treatment can be given. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police have extended prohibitory orders restricting the movement of people in the city till 30th of September. The Police stressed that no new restrictions have been imposed.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police has clarified the order issued under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure saying that it is a mere extension of the previous order issued on 31st of August and no new-fresh restrictions have been imposed. All movements of one or more persons in the area designated as a Containment Zone by municipal authorities are prohibited, except for essential activities, the supply of essential goods and medical emergencies.

The BMC is making continuous efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the city. At the same time, in order to provide more effective treatment to the patients suffering from Covid infection, the Municipal Corporation has started ‘Jumbo Covid Centers’ at various places. These mainly include the Jumbo Covid facilities at Byculla, NSCI-Worli, BKC, Nesco-Goregaon, Mulund and Dahisar areas. The civic body today said that specialist doctors from private hospitals will provide telephonic services to these Jumbo facilities.

Keeping this in view, 35 specialist doctors working in 11 private hospitals will now make their services available to the Municipal Corporation's Jumbo Covid Centers through telephone. They will also visit these treatment centres as and when required and consult with the doctors there regarding medical treatment.

Provision has also been made to increase the number of medical staff in these centres as per the need. There are about 7650 beds available in these centres. Also, about 1466 medical staff including specialist doctors, nurses, technicians, ward boys are working in these centres uninterruptedly. Till 15th September, 20,722 Covid infected patients have been treated in these treatment centres.