Mumbai: Flying squads in 227 municipal wards to check the spread of COVID-19

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said flying squads have been set up in all 227 municipal wards of Mumbai for door-to-door survey as part of efforts to check the spread of coronavirus.

The step has been taken in view of the high density of population in Mumbai where there is more possibility of spread of the disease compared to other districts.

In a release issued on Tuesday, he said the Worli Koliwada has been declared as the ''containment area'' and residents have been prohibited from moving around.

"If more such areas are declared containment areas, health officials will have to work very hard to stop the virus spread. Mumbai is India's financial capital and the spread of the viral infection has to be controlled. The flying squads need to be activated and survey should begin," he said.

He said each squad will consist of a vehicle, municipal officers and employees, police and revenue department officials and medical assistant.

"Their task will be to identify coronavirus patients, their contacts and check for symptoms like fever, cough, cold, pneumonia-like ailment and to take further steps for treatment," he said.