In August, 90% of new patients in Pune went on to recover

PUNE: The gap between the number of Covid-19 positive cases and the number of patients being discharged closed fast in August within the Pune Metropolitan Region, data has revealed.
There were 79,000 new cases in August across the PMR, which includes the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporations, three cantonment limits and certain areas in Pune rural.

Data shows 72,000 of these patients went on to make successful recoveries.
The number of active patients in the region has remained mostly the same. There were some 30,000 active cases (patients undergoing treatment) in the PMR by the first week of August. By the end of the month, that number stood at around 33,000.
August also saw 2,026 deaths due to Covid-19 in the PMR. Within a month, the toll went up to 4,061 from 2,035.
Officials said the high number of recoveries was the result of early detection and improved availability of hospital beds for people with serious Covid-19. They added that the jumbo facilities that have come up will further reduce the burden on hospitals in the region.
The recovery rate in PMR currently stands at nearly 77% — 1,29,629 patients out of 1,68,381, have recovered. In the PMC, the recovery rate is 81%; PCMC is at 74%.
The policy of home isolation has also allowed doctors to focus on the seriously ill. The policy allows those with mild to no symptoms to recover at home.
A PMC official said, “The policy has, importantly, eased the burden on hospital infrastructure. Also, measures such as door-to-door surveys and increased contact tracing have allowed early detection. People are now being isolated and treated faster.”
Divisional commissioner Saurabh Rao said, “The recovery rate of Covid-19 patients has improved in the region. The administration is now focused on reducing the mortality rate,” said divisional commissioner Saurabh Rao.
Santosh Patil, the additional commissioner of the PCMC, said the mortality rate among those over 60 remains a concern.
“But I don’t think critical patients will have any issues regarding bed availability. We have jumbo and other facilities ready,” he said.