In Agra, fall in cases began before curbs

AGRA: The impact of the weekend closure on Covid-19 cases remains a matter of debate in Agra.

While statistics indicate that a dip in the positivity rate has coincided with the weekend closure, a fall was recorded even prior to the restrictions. As such, there are different views about utility of the weekend closure.

The data provided by district administration reveals that the positivity rate before the weekend closure was 5.6% on June 29, 5.07% on July 5, 4.96 % on July 7 and 4.75% on July 11 (effectively, the first day of the curbs).

The downward trend continued after implementation of the weekend closure. The positivity rate fell to 4.62% on July 14, 4.3% on July 19, 4.29% on July 20 and 4.13 % on July 25.

The positivity rate fell further to 3.98 % on July 27, 3.62 % on July 31, 3.5% on August 2, 3.28% on August 7 and 3.1 % on August 10.

Dr Sanjay Chaturvedi, secretary of the Agra chapter of the Indian Medical Association, said, “If it has not been effective in breaking the infection chain, it has been certainly fruitful in delaying the cases found positive. The chances of mass contact are reduced during the weekend closure, which cannot be judged on basis of figures.”

“This delay in positive cases reduces the load on the health infrastructure and plays a role in checking the spread of Covid-19 infection. Further, those in the age bracket of 20 to 40 years, who normally have to venture outdoors, also stay home when offices and markets are closed on the weekend,” said Dr Chaturvedi.

A health official, who asked not to be named, said these two days provide a breather to the overstretched health set-up.