New Delhi: India’s cumulative COVID-19 positivity rate has remained below 8 per cent for four days, demonstrating that the rate of spread of infection is being effectively contained, the Union health ministry said on Monday.
This has been brought about by a high level of comprehensive countrywide testing, it said. The country’s cumulative positivity rate stands at 7.94 per cent and is on a continuous decline, the ministry said in a statement. “As evidence has revealed, higher numbers of testing on a sustained basis have aided in bringing down the positivity rate. The decline in the cumulative positivity rate has demonstrated that the rate of spread of infection is being effectively contained,” it said.
“Higher testing across wide regions leads to early identification of positive cases, prompt tracking through efficient surveillance and tracing, and timely and effective treatment in homes/facilities and in hospitals for the severe cases. These measures in tandem eventually lead to lower mortality rate,” it added.
The total number of tests for the detection of coronavirus infection has crossed 9.5 crore so far, according to the ministry. The average daily positivity rate for the third week of October is 6.13 per cent, the statement said. “This is a result of a successful test, track, trace, treat and technology strategy of the Central government effectively followed by states and UTs,” it underlined.
The ministry said the country has been reporting a steady decline in active cases. The active cases of coronavirus infection remained below 8 lakh for the third consecutive day on Monday. There are 7,72,055 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprise 10.23 per cent of the total caseload, according to ministry data updated at 8 am. The total number of recoveries has surged to 66,63,608, thereby enhancing the difference with respect to active cases, the ministry said.
A total of 66,399 patients recovered and were discharged the previous day, while 55,722 new infections were reported. The national recovery rate has progressed to 88.26 per cent, it said. (PTI)
