The officials said that they make the first call to a patient as soon as s/he is put in home isolation. After that, at least three more calls are made during the seven-day home-isolation period. (File)
The industrial city of Pimpri-Chinchwad has over 27,500 Covid-19 patients in home isolation, but not a single patient among them has so far required any emergency help or the need to be admitted to a hospital. Also, no home-isolated patient has been reported to have succumbed to the virus, officials said.
According to the health department of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), 95 per cent of Covid-19 patients in the municipal area are currently in home isolation. Only 609 patients are either in hospitals or Covid Care Centres set up by the civic body.
Dr Laxman Gofane, the head of the PCMC medical department, said since most patients are showing mild symptoms, they are being asked to isolate themselves at home. “However, these patients are being strictly monitored by the PCMC. If they need any help, we are reaching out to them,” he said.
The PCMC has roped in a call centre to monitor patients in home isolation. The call centre, run by Ornet Technologies Pvt Ltd, is based in Mumbai. Every day, between 2,000-2,500 calls are made from the call centre to patients in home isolation. “The patients are asked about their symptoms, medicines they have been prescribed and whether they are taking them regularly, their blood oxygen level and so on… If they need any medical help, civic doctors with the Swasthya Tele Consultation Helpline set up at the Covid War Room are being alerted. The doctors provide tele-consulting,” said Ram Bhojane, the director of Ornet Technologies Pvt Ltd.
Dr Christopher Zavier, the head of the PCMC Covid War Room, said no patient in home isolation has required hospitalisation in the last one month. “But yes, they need medical advice. When the call centre staff get such a call, the doctors are alerted. The doctors then provide the necessary advice and counselling to the patients through the Swasthya Tele Consultation Helpline. The call centre has received nearly 1,500 calls over the past month from patients requiring medical advice,” he said.
Dr Abhijit Sangade, who heads the team of doctors at the Covid War Room, said, “In some cases, we send an Asha worker or a nurse from a nearby hospital to the residence of the patient concerned. In other cases, the patient might require a change in medicine or some other advice.”
The officials said that they make the first call to a patient as soon as s/he is put in home isolation. After that, at least three more calls are made during the seven-day home-isolation period.
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The PCMC pays Rs 13 per call to the private agency.
Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
Professional Legacy
Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.
Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.
Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.
Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:
1. Political Shifts & Alliances
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.
"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.
"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.
2. Civic & Administrative Accountability
"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.
"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.
3. Social & Labor Issues
"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.
"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.
Signature Beat
Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.
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