INDIA TO CROSS BRAZIL IN NUMBER OF CASES
About 7 lakh infections added in 10 days since August 15
India is recording about
25,000 more Covid-19 cases than Brazil, and will have the second highest number of cases in the world if the daily growth rate of 1.85 per cent persists, experts said.
Brazil has a daily average growth rate of 1.03 per cent and the total caseload stood at 36,27,217 cases on Tuesday. In India, the total number of cases at 10.45 pm on Tuesday stood at
32,31,612. India has added about 7 lakh cases in the 10 days since August 15.
The high number of cases is also an indication that more tests being done and more people with symptoms are reporting to hospitals. While the rise is constant in new cases in India, Brazil is noting a bend of its curve as the number of new cases come down. For this reason, the gap in the caseload between India and Brazil is closing. Data analysis gives a 20-day time period after which India will have
43,11,646 cases and Brazil
42,96,232. Dr Kiran Madhala, senior government doctor, explained, “In metros, infection is found in 40 per cent of the population. Metros have shown a daily growth rate in terms of spread of one per cent. The spread is now in semi-rural and rural areas where high numbers are being recorded. This shift shows that one section of the population has developed antibodies.”
The antibody test results in 2.7 lakh samples analysed by Thyrocare shows that 26 per cent people have developed immunity to the virus. Dr A. Velumani, scientist and MD of Thyrocare Technologies Limited, said, “Our data shows that the antibodies in people in India is very high and this is not noted in European countries. Immunity levels are building up in people against the disease. People must not panic seeing the large number of new cases as there is an equal number of people recovering and developing resistance to the disease.”
Does this mean that maximum population will develop immunity? Dr Velumani says, “Unlocking will give a clear picture and it will give the right indication for which we have to wait. Till then it would be difficult.” The existence of virus around cannot be denied and use of masks, social distancing and hygiene etiquette will have to be followed. With a surveillance target of four years experts state that the prevention methods cannot be given up and it will have to continue.