The industrial city of Pimpri-Chinchwad has observed a sharp drop in COVID-19 positive cases, as doctors at the civic-run YCM hospital had decided to cautiously use plasma therapy. In nine days, Pimpri-Chinchwad has seen almost 14 percent decline in positivity rate, which is witnessed asa part of the falling trend from the mid-September.

On 26th September, 1,151 positive cases were reported (28 percent positivity) and on 4th October, 544 cases were recorded (14 percent positivity). Currently, PCMC is conducting 4,000 tests daily.

Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar said on Sunday that post Ganesh festival it witnessed 20-25 percent cases and after that they saw 16-17 per cent cases. Later, cases fluctuated between 15 and 20 percent. The PCMC chief said that the drop in numbers doesn’t mean that they would lower their guard. They will guard against contentment and will also continue the mission to reduce the positivity rate along with the mortality rate.

Hardikar further said from Monday as a part of stringent measures to reduce the positivity rate, the civic administration will launch an aggressive initiative against those who are not using face masks in public places. He said that the fine for not wearing a mask will be Rs 500.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Santosh Patil said that positive cases are dropping everywhere in the state. July and August recorded the highest number of cases. Since the 3rd week of September, cases are decreasing. They have to take extra precautions during Dussehra and Diwali as the chances of people socializing freely are very high.

In the meantime, at YCM hospital doctors have decided to implement a cautious approach on plasma therapy as the condition of four patients had turned serious after giving plasma therapy. Fortunately, their condition improved and they were discharged.

Dr Aniket Lathi, who is part of the team giving plasma therapy to patients at YCM hospital said that in the initial stages, they had registered a high success rate with plasma therapy. But soon realised that it cannot be given to every patient so they have to become very cautious.

Source: The Indian Express