Dist’s positivity rate jumps from 7% to 21% in August

Nagpur: Less than 7% of those tested were found positive for Covid-19 in the district till July-end. The positivity rate has trebled to 21% in just 12 days of August, depicting the widespread of the virus in the district.
As per data of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), zilla parishad (ZP) and civil surgeon’s office, 79,600 persons were tested in 143 days between March 11 and July 31. Of them, 5,392 were found infected for a positivity rate of 6.8%.
The NMC and ZP have increased testing to control deaths, which are increasing by the day. As on August 12, the number of persons tested was at 1.13 lakh of which 12,486 have come positive for a progressive positivity rate of 11.04%. Approximately 33,400 persons were tested in the 12 days of August of which 7,094 tested positive for a positivity rate of 21.23%.
The number of positive cases in 12 days of August is 24% more than that was registered in 143 days between March 11 and July 31.
The pandemic situation in the district seemed to be under control till easing of the full lockdown. The total cases were 541 during the full lockdown between March 16 and May 31. The central and state governments had eased full lockdown to some extent from June, which registered 964 cases, taking the total number of cases to 1,505.
More relaxations were allowed from July 1. The new cases detected in July were at 3,887 and total 5,392.
From August 1, lockdown has remained only on paper as majority of activities were allowed. Also, the NMC and ZP have come up with home isolation of asymptomatic patients and home quarantine of close contacts of positive persons. The chances of spread of the disease due to these steps cannot be ruled out as some people violate the home isolation and home quarantine norms.
The detection is likely to increase further as municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has planned to increase testing from 3,200 to 5,000 per day. “Cases are on the steep rise. But need is to prevent deaths for which testing is being increased,” he said.
Mundhe and his team led by additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi, chief medical officer Dr Yogendra Savai had started ‘Walk-In Test For Covid-19’ at 21 centres across the city. Between August 3 and 11, 9,299 persons were tested at these centres of which 1,160 came positive. Testing is being done at these centres using rapid antigen kits.
But the civic body has no idea of how many of the 8,139, who tested negative in rapid antigen test, have undergone testing through RT-PCR. It is mandatory for persons who test negative in rapid antigen test to again get tested in a laboratory through RT-PCR method. If not complied with this norm, the chances of further spread cannot be ruled out.
Mundhe said, “Cooperation from people is required to contain spread of the disease. We are requesting through all possible mediums to people to come out only if necessary. We are also urging to ensure wearing mask and maintain Covid distancing when outside. Cases are on rise due to violation of guidelines.”