PUNE: The Covid-19 hospitalisation rate stood at 5.7% and the overall weekly positivity rate was 23.82% in the state for the seven-day period from January 20 to 26 — almost the same as the previous week.
Nearly 22 districts, including Pune, registered higher weekly positivity rate (WPR) than the state average but the hospitalisation rate was stable, stated the weekly report of the state health department tabled before the state cabinet on Wednesday. Nagpur topped the positivity list with 44.59% WPR, followed by Pune (42.49%), Nashik (40.94%), Gadchiroli (39.18%) and Wardha (38.11%).
State additional chief secretary Dr Pradeep Vyas told TOI that 94.3% of the active Covid patients were in home isolation in Maharashtra.
The detailed health department report stated that only 1.92% patients of those undergoing treatment in hospitals were critical. Among the hospitalised patients, just 0.84% (of active patients) were in ICU, 0.3% on ventilators and 0.54% were on oxygen support.
The presentation stated that Pune, Nagpur, Mumbai, Thane and Nashik had reported 1,76,587 new Covid patients of the total 2,79,621 in the state from January 20 to 26. The remaining 1,03,034 patients were from the other districts.
Observing that the crisis was far from over, the cabinet on Thursday emphasised on the need to further step up the implementation of Covid management measures, including increasing the pace of vaccination and testing.
State public health officials stated that the testing, according to the ICMR’s (Indian Council of Medical Research) protocol, was now limited to only symptomatic individuals. Still, the state was carrying out nearly two lakh tests daily, the official added.
“Most districts have achieved their peak and cases are gradually declining there. But the infections are on the rise in rural areas, as suggested by the experts,” said another health department official.
Mumbai’s daily positivity rate dipped to 3.2% on Thursday. As per the Brihanmumbai municipal commissioner, the city is lowly witnessing a declining trend in cases.
National task force member and former state task force member Dr Subhash Salunkhe said earlier this week the way forward was to keep a close watch on hospitalisation and oxygen use, besides increased testing of symptomatic people in rural areas. He had stated that the cases would rise in different geographies till the end of February, but hospitals should be kept ready till June and vaccination must be scaled up.
The Centre in its media briefing said the active cases had shot up but almost 90% patients were in home care, indicating mild to moderate clinical severity. There was a clear trend of drop in demand for oxygen-supported or ICU beds, a central health official said.
