The number of Covid-19 cases in Mumbai has started surging again with the test positivity rate in the city shooting up to six per cent, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said today.

The civic authority has decided to ramp up testing on a “war footing” so that coronavirus cases are detected early to contain the spread of infections.

Mumbai recorded 506 fresh Covid cases on Tuesday, the highest daily count since February 6 (536 cases) this year.

The city recorded a more than 100 per cent increase in the number of Covid cases reported in May as compared to the cases reported in April this year.

"Daily new cases have tremendously increased in Mumbai, with monsoon around the corner, we will now see a rapid rise in symptomatic cases," BMC said.

It has asked its staff to step up the vaccination drive in the 12-18 years category, and booster doses.

The civic authority has asked for jumbo field hospitals to be kept adequately staffed and on alert now.

Private hospitals have also been asked to be on alert. Other readiness measures like reviewing the status of ward war rooms to ensure they are fully equipped with staff, medical teams, and ambulances have been ordered.

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