The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc in the country these days. While most of the corona cases remained confined to the cities in the first wave, rural areas also face an epidemic this time. The central government said that 533 out of more than 700 districts have a positivity rate of more than 10 per cent.
What is the Positivity rate?
The positivity rate is what it sounds like: the percentage of all coronavirus tests performed is positive. For example, A 10 per cent positivity rate means that corona infection is detected in 10 out of 100 samples tested.
Positivity rate at the national level 20-21 per cent – ICMR
Dr Balram Bhargava, Head of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said that corona cases in India are increasing rapidly. The positivity rate at the national level remains between 20–21 per cent. About 42 per cent of the districts are where it is above the national average. The solution is to test quickly and isolate people. He said that large scale rapid antigen tests should be done in rural areas.
Positivity rate above 10 per cent in 30-30 districts of five states
According to the Indian Express, there are more than 30-30 districts in five states where the positivity rate remains above 10%. Maximum 45 districts are from Madhya Pradesh, 38 Uttar Pradesh, 36 Maharashtra, 34 Tamil Nadu and 33 districts from Bihar.
Tight restrictions needed in 533 districts – Ministry of Health
“We have already told states that in districts that are reporting more than 10 per cent positivity, strict containment measures have to be undertaken. Currently, there are 533 such districts in the country where stringent action needs to be implemented,” said Lav Agarwal, joint secretary of Union Health Ministry.
Agarwal, on May 11, informed more than 1 lakh active cases are in 13 states, while 50,000 to 1 lakh active cases are in 6 states and less than 50,000 active cases are in 17 states.
The positivity rate exceeds 25 per cent in six states.
In the week ending May 11, the government said that there were 26 states and union territories where the positivity rate was 15 per cent; in six states, it was 5-15 per cent. There were only four states where it was less than 5 per cent. According to the Ministry of Health, there are six states and three union territories where the positivity rate is more than 25 per cent. Goa (49.6 per cent) and Puducherry (42.8 per cent) take the lead.
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