Death rate still high in K’taka

Covid-related deaths continued to be high in Karnataka with 304 patients succumbing to the virus on Monday, taking the toll to 31,920. Bengaluru alone recorded 199 deaths.

The state reported 11,958 new Covid cases, taking the total active cases to 2,38,824. The Test Positivity Rate went marginally up to 9.08 per cent while the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was 2.84 per cent. Bengaluru reported 1,992 new Covid cases and Mysuru 1,213.

The CFR for Bengaluru remains a worry. According to Covid war room data, the weekly CFR in Bengaluru peaked during the May 29June 4 week to touch 7 per cent. This was the highest spike seen in 2021 so far. During this period, the city witnessed 25,699 fresh Covid-19 cases and 1,797 deaths.

However, the case positivity rate is falling. From May 29 to June 4, civic authorities conducted 4.2 lakh tests and the case positivity rate stood at 6 per cent. It was nearly 12 per cent in the previous week. The weekly positivity rate was highest between May 1 and 7 with 38.6 per cen when 78,903 had tested positive for Covid-19 from 3.9 lakh tests done.

Authorities say that the high CFR is because the denominator — or total positive cases — was less.

“We have to reduce the CFR to less than 1 per cent and efforts are on to this effect. We are analysing the pattern of deaths, especially with regard to broughtdead cases, deaths occurring in home isolation, deaths post discharge,” P Rajendra Cholan, special commissioner (health), BBMP (civic body), was quoted in the media.