Punjab touches national death rate

COVID CONCERN With an average three deaths a day, the state’s rate rose by 1% since June 1, shows health dept data

CHANDIGARH: With a sharp spike in the number of Covid-19 deaths in June, Punjab’s mortality rate has touched the national figure of 3% as it rose by 1% during this period.

With 100 deaths in the last 30 days, an average three patients succumbed daily in the state, shows the state health department’s daily Covid-19 status report. Also, Punjab’s fatality rate now is equal to New Delhi which has reported 2,623 deaths of a total of 83,077 cases as on June 28.

Though neighboring Haryana has more than double the positive cases (13,829 till June 28) of Punjab, its fatality rate is still 2%. Now, only Maharashtra (5%), Gujarat (6%), West Bengal (4%) and Madhya Pradesh (4%) have greater fatality rate than Punjab.

On June 1, Punjab’s fatality was 1.9% with 44 deaths of a total 2,301 positive cases. The spike has added to the worries of the state health authorities.

“Most of the patients succumbing to the virus are the ones with co-morbidities. The deaths increased in the last one month due to ramping up of the testing capacity in the state.

We have a dedicated team which is carrying out an audit of all deaths. In our daily group meeting, we discuss new ways of treatment,” state Covid-19 nodal officer Dr Rajesh Bhaskar said.

Till April, Punjab’s mortality rate was a cause of concern but the state did not have many positive patients at the time.

The rate came down when the state witnessed a sudden jump in new cases with the return of Sikh pilgrims from Maharashtra’s Nanded and most of these patients were asymptomatic.

THE ELDERLY MORE VULNERABLE TO VIRUS

The health department’s figures reveal that maximum fatality rate of 16.7% was found among those aged above 80. The second highest death rate of 9.5% was found among those aged between 70 and 79.

Of those patients aged 60-69, only 3.3% died whereas the rate was 2% in the 40-49 age group. Only 0.8% of patients who died were aged between 30 and 39 while the rate was 2% in 0-9, 0% in 10-19 and 0.1% in 30-39 age group.