A presentation by joint secretary Lav Agarwal during a press briefing on Covid 19 update revealed 47 districts across 12 states and UTs reported over 10 per cent COVID-19 positivity rate for the week ending July 15
TFM Report
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has painted a grim COVID-19 scenario of Manipur and indicated that the situation has turned from bad to worse. Though a tiny state, Manipur has the highest number of districts with over 10 % positivity rate in the country.
A presentation by joint secretary Lav Agarwal during a press briefing on Covid 19 update revealed 47 districts across 12 states and UTs reported over 10 per cent COVID-19 positivity rate for the week ending July 15. Out of the 47 districts, nine were from Manipur, eight from Kerala, six from Rajasthan, five each from Meghalaya and Mizoram, three each from Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Sikkim two from Tripura and one each from Assam, Maharashtra and Puducherry.
Between July 9 and 15, Manipur reported 6,380 and 99 deaths with a 14.57 per cent positivity rate.
Moreover, researchers at the Chennai-based Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) have reportedly estimated RS value for coronavirus in Manipur at 1.07. The R-factor or reproduction rate is a mathematical representation that acts as an indicator for how fast the infection is spreading. It indicates the speed at which the Covid infection is spreading in the country.
Sitabhra Sinha, who led the team of researchers, has reportedly said, “The northeast region is of great concern. Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and possibly Tripura are showing a rise in the number of cases.”
It may be pertinent to mention that the Centre, in its recent communications to states, has been pointing to an increase in R factor of Covid-19, urging the states to practice caution.
According to a report, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to all states and Union territories saying that an increase in the R factor in some states is a matter of concern.
“You may be aware that any increase in R factor above 1.0 is an indicator of spread of Covid-19. Therefore, it is important that the authorities concerned shall be made responsible for ensuring Covid appropriate behaviour in all crowded places…,” the letter said.
Meanwhile, Manipur topped the list of 12 states and UTs having 01 to 1,00,000 confirmed cases in terms of the number of total confirmed cases and deaths, as of Sunday 8 am, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
The other states and UTs (in descending order of the number of total confirmed cases) are — Tripura, Chandigarh, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Ladakh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, and Andaman and Nicobar islands.