The Covid-19 doubling rate in the state is improving consistently and is currently at more than 16 days. Stating this, the chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh said that the recovery rate in the state is also similar to the national average at about 48 per cent. While the sampling rate per million population is 3,169, the mortality rate is about one per cent compared to the national mortality rate of 2.78 per cent.
Addressing the media here on Monday, the chief secretary reiterated that though there has been an increase in Covid-19 cases recently, this is no cause for being afraid. The State has considerably enhanced its health facilities. Currently, the state has about 20,000 beds for Covid-19 patients while 243 ICU beds and 126 ventilators are also available. Singh said that special stress is being laid on contact tracing with 6,294 contacts of 1,380 Covid-19 positive patients being traced so far. The health of these contacts is monitored and necessary action is taken based on their risk profile. Currently, there are about 1.30 lakh people under quarantine in the state. Most of these are under home quarantine. Further, 55 containment zones have been established in the state where necessary measures are being implemented strictly.
Citing weekly data, Singh said that from May 25 to 31, the doubling rate was 4.58 days and sample positivity rate was 8.83 per cent. However, from June 1 to 7, the doubling rate rose to about 16 days while the sample positivity rate is about 6.16 per cent. Similarly, from May 25 to 31 970 samples were tested while the number of beds was 8,375 whereas from June 1 to 7, the number of samples tested was 1,053 and the number of beds is 18,234.
The chief secretary further informed that strict action is being taken against those violating the rules.
So far about 29,737 people have been arrested, 7,977 vehicles have been seized and Rs 3.35 crore has been collected in penalty. Referring to guidelines for hotels, shopping malls and religious places, he said that physical distancing, sanitisation and wearing of mask is mandatory in such places. If discipline is maintained and rules are observed, facilities could be enhanced in the future, he added.