PIMPRI CHINCHWAD: The Covid-19 test positivity rate has registered a small, but noticeable drop in Pimpri Chinchwad and appears to have stabilised in areas under Pune Municipal Corporation limits, officials stated.
Officials from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) said the positivity rate, which was around 28% towards the end of August, is now 24%.
At 1.6%, the fatality rate has also been lowest in PCMC limits, compared to the 2.2% overall in the PMR. In Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits and the rural parts, the fatality rate is currently at 2.4% and 2.5% respectively.
Health officials in region have welcomed the dip in Pimpri Chinchwad — home to major industries that have been working with nearly 60 to 70% of their workforce. But they admitted the cause of the drop is still unclear.
“We are not sure. The number of absolute positives has reduced over the last fortnight. Perhaps, increased testing is why the positivity rate has also dropped by 4% over the past month,” said Santosh Patil, the PCMC's additional commissioner.
The total number of daily positive patients in PCMC limits fell by over 170 to an average of 862 between September 15-29.
It was an average of 1,043 every day between August 31 and September 14.
Testing during this periods in PCMC limits has remained at a consistent 4,000 daily samples. The total tests in the PMR region has been between 13,000 and 15,000 daily, of which 6,000 samples are tested every day within Pune Municipal Corporation limits.
Health officials were also reluctant to state if these reductions indicated a slowing of Covid-19 spread.
“It is too early to make that assumption. We have to wait at least two months or more before we can actually say that. But most cases are asymptomatic. If people continue to wear masks in public places and crowded areas, the trend should hold,” a Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation health official said.
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