Death rate ‘among lowest’ globally

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 23

Even as a daily surge of 14,933 cases took the national Covid load beyond 4.4 lakh cases, the government today said India’s key disease parameters were improving with the death rate per lakh people among the lowest in the world.

The Health Ministry said going forward, the indicators of mortality and recovery would crucially determine national disease responses.

“A WHO report dated June 22 shows India has one of the lowest deaths per lakh population at 1.00 while the global average is over six times at 6.04. The United Kingdom has witnessed 63.13 cases of Covid-related deaths per lakh population, Spain, Italy and US have seen 60.60, 57.19 and 36.30, respectively,” ministry sources said.

They attributed lower mortality to early detection of cases, timely testing and surveillance, extensive contact-tracing coupled with effective clinical management.

The recovery rate, ministry data shows, continues to improve. As on date, it is 56.38 per cent with 10,994 patients cured in 24 hours as against 14,933 newly infected. Presently, there are 1,78,014 active cases.