Coronavirus: India's death rate is declining, positivity rate surging
What's the story
Since the coronavirus pandemic hit India, two trends have been holding ground - a decline in death rate and an increase in positivity rate.
While the increase in positivity rate shows how far the virus has spread its roots, the death rate indicates that the doctors and healthcare workers have done a good job so far.
Here are more details on this.
Data
How bad is the coronavirus situation in India?
The number of cases has been surging at an alarming rate. On Sunday, 28,701 fresh cases were reported, taking the total tally of coronavirus infections to 879,888. This was for the second consecutive day that the number of cases rose by over 28,000.
Across India, 23,200 have died.
With the healthcare system collapsing, lockdowns have started to make a return.
Details
From 4.14%, positivity rate rose to 7.44%
A report in Indian Express sheds light on the trends for the last two months. In May's beginning, the positivity rate stood at 4.14%, implying that of 10,000 people being tested, 414 had contracted the infection.
This steadily increased to 7.44% now, meaning 744 people out of every 10,000 being tested are showing positive results.
Naturally, the transmission is no longer contained.
Testing
Notably, positivity rate is directly proportional to number of tests
The spike in positivity rate also means India is testing more, but only those who are at risk. As per guidelines, close contacts of an infected person and those showing symptoms are tested for coronavirus.
India has still not started testing random people aggressively as it doesn't want to miss out on high-risk individuals.
The positivity rate is expected to rise for some time.
Death rate
Death rate lower than May, will continue to decline
Meanwhile, what gives some respite during the gloomy times is that the death rate is slowing down. In May, this rate stood at 3.28% and has declined to 2.64% now.
Although India is reporting over 500 deaths almost daily, the death rate is not alarmingly high and will remain so for a longer period of time.
Do you know?
Eventual death rate could be less than 1%
In fact, in a few months from now when the scientists have a clearer picture, owing to more research and data, it is expected that the final death rate would be less than 1% as there are many asymptomatic patients.
States
However, eight worst-hit states worryingly adding over 1,000 cases daily
What's worrying is that eight of the ten states, which have the maximum number of coronavirus cases, are adding 1,000 fresh cases on a daily basis.
These ten worst-hit states are Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
A disturbing surge was reported from Bihar as well, with the addition of over 1,200 cases yesterday.