On Tuesday, Sushmi Dey reported that India had conducted approximately 9 lakh tests on a single day whereas the daily positivity rate of coronavirus cases has also dropped to 6.1%. The lower positivity rate, in spite of higher testing, is observed as encouraging development as the daily total count of cases has climbed up in the last few months.

The government said that the developments in COVID-19 cases in the last few days (August 13-17), specifically on testing and deaths were expected news. The government also added that there was no possibility for laxity in testing and containment measures.

Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that the total number of daily COVID-19 cases since 3rd August has reduced from over 64,000 to 55,000 cases, showing a decreasing trend. However, five days is a short time in a pandemic, therefore there is no room for complacence.

The total number of deaths also dropped during this period — from 1,007 deaths on 13th August to 876 deaths on Tuesday. This also shows a constant downward trend. Health ministry data revealed that the average daily positivity rate of coronavirus cases had dropped from a little over 10% in the 2nd week of July (July 8-14) to approximately 7.8% in the week of August 12-18, in spite of increased testing. Also, the average fatality rate has reduced from almost 2.9% in the 1st week of July (July 1-7) to 1.9% in the week of August 12-18.

Source: ET Healthworld