Coronavirus Urban Epicentres: Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad

In a trend which mirrors the global pattern of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, urban metropolises in India have turned into epicentres of major outbreaks. Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Ahmedabad contribute to a large extent to the total caseload of COVID-19 cases in the country.

In all the four major metropolitan cities, healthcare facilities are now stretched to the limit. In Mumbai, 98% of the ICU beds in hospitals are now occupied, media reports stated.

Living in close proximity in sprawling slums like Dharavi and Worli Koliwada in Mumbai has added to the COVID-19 spread. Mumbai has so far recorded close to 45,000 of Maharashtra 77,791 cases, which constitutes about 57% of the total caseload of the state. The Maximum City has seen a high mortality rate with 1,461 deaths.

Chennai has also been reporting high numbers of COVID-19 cases and contributes over 70% of the total number of coronavirus patients in Tamil Nadu. The state has recorded 27,256 COVID-19 cases so far.

Delhi has witnessed a sharp spike in recent days and while some observers relate it to the easing of lockdown measures, state government authorities attribute this surge in positive cases to more testing. Delhi has reported 25,004 cases of COVID-19 so far. Delhi's healthcare infrastructure has also been under heavy stress. Major government and private hospitals are reporting high intake of coronavirus positive patients.

Ahmedabad is another city which has been reporting high numbers of coronavirus cases and contributes about 72% of the state's total caseload. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Gujarat now stands at 18,584 with the death count climbing to 1,155.

The pattern is clear— urban metropolises are facing the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping through the country. This is seen across the world from New York to London, to Madrid to São Paulo to Seoul and other major metropolitan hubs in the world.