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This is an archive article published on April 29, 2020

Headquartered in one of the most affected areas, PMC to disinfect entire office

The PMC main building is situated in the Shivajinagar Ghole Road ward office, which has seen the largest spike in infected patients in the last week.

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Witnessing the largest spike in COVID-19 cases in its area in the last few days, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has undertaken a drive to disinfect its entire office.

“The offices in PMC’s main building are being disinfected, and this will be done after office hours,” said additional municipal commissioner Rubal Agarwal.

A civic staff member working in the health department in the main building had tested positive for the virus. The civic administration said the employee had been home for the last few days, and members of his family have tested negative, but have been kept in quarantine as suspect patients.

However, the PMC main building is situated in the Shivajinagar Ghole Road ward office, which has seen the largest spike in infected patients in the last week. The number of patients has increased from 39 to 133 in the duration.

Meanwhile, the PMC claimed it has been able to reduce the death rate by screening residents of hotspot zones in slums. “The screening of citizens in slums falling under hotspot zones has helped trace patients at an early stage. This has enabled fast treatment of patients, and reduced the number of deaths,” said municipal commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad.

“The increase in testing facilities will reduce the death rate – which was 14.5 per cent and has come down to 7.5 per cent. It means there are seven deaths per 100 patients now,” Gaikwad said. He added that early detection in the first stage stage of the infection has helped provide treatment and reduce deaths.

The municipal commissioner said contact tracing of patients in densely populated areas has been increased. Suspected patients are being taken in ambulances to testing centres and are being kept in quarantine facilities for 24 hours, till swab test reports become available.

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All those who test negative are sent back home, while those who test positive are kept in isolation for 14 days, Gaikwad said. He added that the PMC has kept 1,750 person in isolation.

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More


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