For first time, Covid-19 death rate in PMC limits dips below state average

PUNE: The Covid-19 death rate in areas coming under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits has dropped to 3.93% from the 5.6% it was registering in April.
This is for the first time since the outbreak that the death rate in the Pune municipal limits has fallen below than the state’s average of 4.72%. But it’s still above the national average of 3.13%.

Officials said an increase in testing has led to early detection of several Covid-19 cases, which in turn has helped doctors provide timely care.
Data released until June 25 by the PMC and the Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited (PSCDCL) shows that the mortality rate has dipped even as the number of positive cases has gone up.
In April, there were 1,518 positive patients while the number of tests stood at 11,649.
Mortality rate in PMC limits below state avg
By May, both the number of patients and tests had increased — to 6,472 and 49,320 respectively. By June, the number of cases and tests reached 14,185 and 1,00,677.
Pune municipal commissioner, Shekhar Gaikwad said measures such as timely sealing of affected areas helped the authorities limit the spread of Covid-19. “The outbreak was confined to some areas under the PMC in the early stages. Efforts are on to ensure that critical patients recover,” he said.
Gaikwad said the PMC is also trying to increase the daily testing. “The aim is early detection. Timely intervention has helped us bring down the number of casualties. Officials are also implementing measures that rely on national and international findings on Covid-19 mortalities,” he added.
Civic body officials said doctors were using Tocilizumab (an immunosuppressive drug) and even blood plasma therapy to boost recovery during the early stages of hospital admission.