‘Cannot decide trends on absolute numbers’

NEWDELHI: The higher number of deaths related to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) reported from Maharashtra could be a “chance event” as the number of overall fatalities is small, and a trend cannot be decided merely on the basis of mere absolute numbers, said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday.

As of Wednesday Maharashtra had reported 1,135 cases and 72 deaths while the second worst-hit state Tamil Nadu 738 infections and eight fatalities. Overall India has recorded 178 deaths and 5,872 cases.

“You cannot merely decide on the basis of absolute numbers. That is not the right way,” said Dr RR Gangakhedkar, the chief of epidemiology and communicable diseases wing of the ICMR, which is India’s top medical research body.

The Union health ministry separately said the government is taking aggressive measures wherever required in Maharashtra in view of a large number of cases being reported. “In Pune and Kolba region, door-to-door screenings are being conducted. About 35 square kilometre area is being covered to look for people with co-morbid conditions and those with any travel history. The same screening strategy is being used in Kerala’s Pathamuttom village. The government has come up with a detailed technical plan for different stages of Covid-19 management,” said the ministry’s joint secretary, Lav Agarwal.

He added, “Our technical war room is monitoring the situation very closely, and is equipped to track ambulances and watch people under home quarantine .”