Covid-19: Virus gains speed in August, positivity rate in Rajasthan at 5%

JAIPUR: With increased testings, Covid positivity rate has also risen significantly indicating that the virus is rapidly spreading in the state.
Increasing positivity rate is a major concern as active cases are also on the rise pushing the number of patients needing hospitalization. In August (till 17), the positivity rate has been recorded at 5%, which is more than double than in June (2.2%).
In March, the positivity rate was just 1.6%, while in April, May, June and July it was recorded at 2.5%, 2%, 2.2% and 3.4%, respectively.
In June, 4.1 lakh samples were tested, which were increased to 7 lakh in July and already 4 lakh have been tested in August so far.
The worst districts in terms of highest positivity rate in August are Alwar (10.5%), Banswara (8.5%), Jodhpur (7.1%), Sikar (7%), Bhilwara (6.9%), Kota (6.8%), Sriganganagar (6.6%), Bundi (6.4%), Tonk (6.2%) and Jaipur (6.1%). The situation is worrisome in Alwar, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Kota, where positivity rate was quite high in comparison to majority of the districts. The situation would have been ideal if more samples were tested and positivity rate declined.
Health minister Raghu Sharma accepted that the cases are on the rise like in any other place of the country but said they were taking measures to prevent spread of the virus. “We are also focusing on screening and testing super spreaders. Covid cases have increased in the state at a few places due to super spreaders. To control such cases, special focus is on checking the super spreaders such as milk vendors, vegetable vendors, grocers and whoever falls under this category will be checked effectively so that spread of infection could be stopped,” said Sharma.
Sharma expressed satisfaction that the ratio of recovery rate in the state was best among the 10 bigger states.
Also, the fatality rate in the state at present is declining fast. The mortality rate at present is just 1.4%.