Chandigarh’s Covid death rate witnesses decline

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 10

In a major relief, Chandigarh has started to witness decline in Covid-19 deaths as the cases started dipping. In the last one week, the number of daily new Covid-19 deaths has come down to an average of 1.6 per cent, as compared to 4.6 per cent seven-day growth rate witnessed between September 11 and September 18.

From October 2 to October 9, the city recorded 19 deaths preceded by 24 deaths (September 25 to October 2) and 35 deaths (September 18 and September 25).

Till September 30, experts were apprehensive of the declining pandemic curve in view of constant surge in deaths being reported two weeks ago.

Dr Rajesh Kumar, former  Head of the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, said, “The decline in deaths from past two weeks is the clear indicator that we are steering towards decline in epidemic curve. It was important to see how the situation unfolded two weeks after peak number of infections. Because whenever cases surge, deaths take place after 14 days. We have already crossed that stage. This explains the dip in number of deaths as cases are also on the decline.”

PGIMER Director Jagat Ram said, “For the last two weeks, there is a decline in number of infected patients and thus mortality has also reduced. Ninety per cent patients who are dying have co-morbidities. Even at PGIMER emergency, the rate of positivity among patients has also reduced. Earlier, we were getting 60 positive patients from emergency, which has reduced to 10-15 patients.”

Prof Ram warns, “However, we should not violate the protocol to sustain the decline and spread of infection. Now, festival season is approaching and if safety is breached, another surge is expected.”