Jamshedpur recovery rate better, mortality still high

JAMSHEDPUR: Slight improvement in positivity rate and recovery rate better than the national and state averages have sparked hope for a downswing in Covid-19 curve in Jamshedpur, that has reported 830 deaths due to the disease so far.

The high mortality rate, however, still remains a major concern as it was still much higher at 1.96% than state and national rates, that stand at 1.30% and 1.10%, respectively.

With national and international experts warning against onslaught of a third wave of the pandemic, the gravity of the situation in Jamshedpur can be gauged from the fact that the district reported 341 Covid-19 deaths and 15,379 new cases during the past 17 days of partial lockdown (Swasthya Suraksha Saptah) that started April 22.

Another extension or complete lockdown appeared to be around the corner with chief minister (CM) Hemant Soren on Monday chairing a meeting with MPs and MLAs in the state.

As per the district Covid-19 bulletin, during the 17 days of lockdown, 900 new cases were reported per day on an average.

Tata Steel medical advisor Dr Rajan Chaudhry said the infectivity and fatality of the new Covid-19 strains during the second wave increased manyfold due to aerial transmission.

“The new mutant strains during the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic is of air-to-air transmission nature. This is why people are getting infected without coming in contact of other infected persons. This has also increased the infectivity of the new strains and it’s fast spread. Masks are now the only option to prevent infection,” said Dr Chaudhry.