Dharavi Records Third Coronavirus Death, Total Cases Now At 17

Asia's most crowded slum recorded three deaths from coronavirus in over a week as the highly contagious pathogen spreads rapidly in an environment where people live close together.

A 70-year-old woman, who lived in Kalyanwadi area in Dharavi, died at KEM Hospital on Thursday, said Kiran Dighavkar, assistant commissioner in-charge of the G/North Ward in Central Mumbai. “Investigation is in progress to find out the high-risk contacts.”

Two new cases were reported in Mukund Nagar (a 58-year-old male and 30-year-old male) and one case opposite Dr Balliga Nagar Jasmine Mill Road, where a 55-year-old male tested positive for the virus, Dighavkar added. “High risk investigations are under progress”.

Dharavi—a sprawl of shanties spread over 240 hectares, has a population of 8.5 lakh and over 13,000 small businesses—recorded its first death linked to the pandemic on April 1 and second on April 8. The tally of Covid-19 cases in Mumbai's biggest slum has now reached 17, including the three deceased.

As a proactive measure, BMC has set up health camps where positive cases were found as well as in other densely populated areas of Dharavi, Dighavakar had earlier told BloombergQuint.

Total Cases In Dharavi So Far: 14

• Dr. Baliga Nagar: Five — A 30-year-old woman, her father and brother, who are now undergoing treatment. A 55-year-old man tested positive today. The area has recorded one death.
• Dharavi Main Road: One — A 35-year-old doctor is undergoing treatment.
• Mukund Nagar Slum: Four — A 49-year-old man and his 25-year-old son are undergoing treatment. A 58-year-old male and 30-year-old man tested positive today.
• 60 Feet Road: One — A 21-year-old male lab technician is under treatment.
• Dhanwada Chawl: One — A 35-year-old man tested positive and under treatment.
• Muslim Nagar: One — A 50-year-old female tested positive and is under treatment.
• Social Nagar: One — A 64-year-old man, who was tested positive, died at KEM Hospital.
• Janta Society: Two — A couple (59-year-old male and 49-year-old female) undergoing treatment.
• Kalyanwadi: A 70-year-old woman died at KEM Hospital

Besides, a municipal sweeper, who is a resident of Worli and works in Dharavi, has tested positive and is undergoing treatment.

Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope, on Twitter said, Maharashtra on Thursday has added 162 new Covid-19 cases, taking the tally to 1,297 cases. Mumbai added 143 new cases.