The positivity rate, after scaling the 2% mark in the run-up to the festive season on October 5, had shot up to 3% on October 18. Since then, it dipped below 2% for the first time on Wednesday, when it was 1.9%. The positivity rate remained unchanged on Thursday. In the 42 days since October 5, as many as 35,056 people had tested Covid-positive in Bengal, of whom 497 died.
According to data released by the state health department, over 15.6 lakh samples had been tested in this 44-day phase, with the RT-PCR:Antigen test ratio significantly increasing from 38:62 on October 5 to 49:51 on Thursday.
From an all-time high of double-digit positivity in March-April 2020, the positivity rate started slipping below 2% on July 9, with the ebbing of the second wave. After that, it fluctuated, but stayed around the 2%.
It fell below 2% on October 31, but swung back to 2.4% the very next day, November 1. The fluctuation in cases had been triggered by Durga Puja gatherings, which pushed up the numbers in the latter half of October, said experts. There have been days in the latest 44-day phase when the positivity rate varied by over 0.5% over a 24-hour period. On October 6, for instance, Bengal had reported a 2.1% positivity rate. It shot up to 2.5% on October 12 and even touched 3% on October 18. But it slid to 2.1% on October 19 itself. Since then, it kept rising before falling rapidly. On October 29, it was 2%. Finally, on November 17, it slipped below 2% and remained there for two successive days.
Experts, though, said it was still too early to draw a definite conclusion from the below-2% positivity rate dip. “Covid protocol had gone for a toss during the Pujas,” said Raja Dhar, CMRI Hospital’s director of pulmonology. “Its impact started becoming apparent during the last week of October. Fortunately, vaccination and herd immunity kept the number of severe cases in check. So, we have a large number of mild cases now, which don’t require hospitalization.”
It could still be dangerous for the elderly and co-morbid population to ignore Covid norms, said Rahul Jain, Belle Vue Clinic’s internal medicine consultant. “Despite double vaccination, peoplr are getting Covid. So, the use of masks and social distancing remain mandatory for all, especially the elderly and the unvaccinated sections,” said Jain. He added that while the under-18 population, which is yet to receive vaccines, remained vulnerable, they were at a lesser risk due to their higher immunity. “Also, they have developed antibodies through some exposure to Covid by now. Youngsters have shown better resilience against the virus and have had a mild disease so far,” Jain added.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/bengals-covid-positivity-rate-slips-below-2-after-42-days/articleshow/87788682.cms
