COVID stabilising, but positivity over 10% in 382 dists: Govt

The Centre said that even though the COVID-19 pandemic is stabilising in large parts of the country, there is still a long way to go to battle this particular wave as the positivity rate is still over 10 per cent in 382 districts.

Addressing a press conference, NITI Aayog member (Health) VK Paul said India was able to come this far in controlling this pandemic through restrictions on social and economic activities and containment and care measures.

“In large parts of the country, the pandemic is stabilising, the positivity rate and active cases are reducing and recovery rate is rising. It is also being seen that an increase is being seen in other states so this is a mixed picture but overall there has been a decrease in case burden but we have a long way to go to handle this wave and we also have to ensure that there should be no laxity in the steps we take,” he said. “As the situation improves we need to keep ensuring that the chain of transmission remains broken. In 382 districts, the positivity rate is over 10 per cent so there is still a long way to go to battle this particular wave,” he said.

Despite consistent increase in daily tests, India’s daily positivity rate has declined from 24.83 per cent recorded on May 10 to 12.45 per cent on May 22. “Also, a slow but relatively better trend in terms of management is being noted in

Districts reporting week-on-week increase in tests and decline in case positivity have increased from 210 to 303. Eight states have more than 1lakh active cases and 18 states have over 15% TPR

deaths and most fatalities have been noted in six states -- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, UP, Punjab, Delhi,” he said.

Agarwal said districts reporting week-on-week increase in tests and decline in case positivity has increased from 210 to 303 districts. “Eight states have more than one lakh active cases and 18 states have more than 15 per cent positivity rate,” he said.