India′s R-value, an estimate of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, has continued to be less than one since September, pointing to a decline in the infection rate, suggests a study.

An R-value below 1 indicates that the disease is spreading slowly. On the other hand, a value over 1 indicates that the number of infected people is rising in each round. According to researchers of the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai, the R-value of the leading 10 states with the highest number of active cases was below 1 till October 18. Some cities; however, continue to show an increase in the number of active cases. Kolkata has an R-value of more than 1, possibly due to the mass gatherings during Durga Puja, stated lead researcher Sitabhra Sinha. Bengaluru also has R-value above 1. The R-value of Chennai, Pune and Mumbai is just below 1.

The nationwide R-value from September 25 through October 18 was 0.90… (NDTV – PTI, October 19, 2021)