BHUBANESWAR: Covid infection in the state has been showing marginal increase in the past four days after 3,806 more tested positive on Friday, up from 3,405 cases on Tuesday. The fresh cases on Wednesday (3,535) and Thursday (3,631) were also up despite the state showing gradual fall in numbers since the beginning of the month.
The daily test positivity rate (TPR) at 5.87% on Friday is also higher than 5.72% a day before. The state confirmed 37 more Covid deaths, raising the death toll to 3,508.
Stating that minor fluctuation in the number of fresh cases and positivity rate is not unexpected, additional chief secretary (health) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said, “The state’s projection is that daily infections will be below 1000 by June-end. Despite marginal rise in new cases in the past few days, there is overall continuous decline in number of active cases and patients in hospitals.” Jayant Panda, the government’s technical adviser on Covid-19, said there is minor fluctuation in daily numbers because of high positivity in some districts. “However, overall the decline is steady. The situation is on the path of recovery.”
Four districts have more than 2,500 active +ve cases
The government, though, has started preparation anticipating a third wave in three to four months, projecting a daily peak of 10,000 cases.
A district-wise analysis of TPR released by Union ministry of health and family welfare on Friday said, “The weekly average TPR from June 11 to June 17 in six of the 30 districts remain above 10%. They are Jajpur (19.13%), Bhadrak (17.95%), Balasore (16.14%), Khurda (16.14%), Dhenkanal (10.90%) and Puri (10.46%). The TRP is between five to 10 % in 14 districts and less than five in 10 districts.”
In active positive cases, four districts are in red zone with over 2,500 cases each — Khurda (6,756), Cuttack (4,097), Jajpur (3,584) and Balasore (3,423). Khurda is among the country’s top 30 districts in active cases.
Among the deceased are the highest five from Khurda, which took the district’s toll to 559. Among others, four deaths each were reported from Cuttack, Kalahandi and Jharsuguda. Three deaths each were confirmed in Bargarh, Puri and Sundargarh. Deogarh, Balangir, Kendrapada and Rayagada reported two deaths each while Gajapati, Mayurbhanj and Sambalpur had one death each
