COVID case doubling rate now 13.3 days against 3.4 days pre-lockdown

NEW DELHI: The Union Health Ministry on Friday said that the doubling rate of Covid-19 cases now stands at 13.3 days, which is far better than 3.4 days since the beginning of the lockdown. Covid-19 cases would have also increased exponentially in the absence of the lockdown, it added.

Emphasizing the improved mortality rate, the ministry said the Covid-19 fatality rate has dropped from 3.13 per cent to 3.02 per cent, and the authorities involved in tackling the viral infection are concentrating on containment measures and clinical management of cases. India is currently in the fourth phase of the lockdown which was imposed on March 25 to contain the outbreak of coronavirus. "We need to save the country from deaths due to Covid-19," the ministry said.

In the daily press briefing, Joint Secretary, Health, Lav Agarwal said there is improvement in the Covid-19 mortality rate, as it dropped from 3.13 per cent on May 19 to 3.02 per cent. The ministry said that 3,234 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours, and 48,534 people have been cured so far, and there are a total 66,330 under active medical supervision. "The recovery rate has improved to 41 per cent and the case fatality rate has improved to 3.02 per cent," said Agarwal, adding the focus of the Health Ministry is on districts which have reported most cases.

Empowered Group-1's Chairman, V.K. Paul, who was also present at the press conference, said the lockdown pulled the brakes on the speed of increase of cases. The growth rate of Covid-19 cases has witnessed a steady fall from April 3, when lockdown was able to put brakes on its growth. "The number of cases today would have been much higher had lockdown not been implemented," added Paul. (IANS)

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