In recent days, Punjab has seen improvement in COVID-19 active cases, recoveries, and doubling rate, and things seem to be coming back on the track of normalcy. Despite this, the state can not be seen in a position to handle its fatality rate which is higher than the global average.
Notably, there has been a spike in the number of people succumbing to the contagious disease in Punjab however, on the flip side, in India, and in the world, the fatality rate has dipped in the last two months. So far, 3,603 people have lost their lives. Out of these 3,217 people lost their lives in just 65 days i.e August 1 to October 4.
Reportedly, over 102,198 deaths due to Covid have been recorded pan India and 1,039,440 at the world level.
According to the analysis, the world fatality rate has dropped from 4 percent, which was recorded in mid-July to 2.94% on October 4. The national fatality rate has seen a dip from 3.36% to 1.55%. However, during the same period, Punjab’s death rate went up from 2.41% to 3.04%.
It is worth mentioning, Punjab is the one state among the 20-worst affected states in the country to record such a high fatality rate, which is more than 3, while in two states the death rate is relatively below three.
Considering just 8 states, the death toll is below two and in the other 7 states, it is below one.
According to the audits and analysis by the experts, most of the deaths had been due to the comorbidity. Among this, the other factor is the aging population and urbanization.
On the highest fatality rate, the State Health Minister has analyzed 2,813 deaths and stated that the majority of deaths have occurred in the age group of 60 years and above.
In spite of the highest fatality rate, the Punjab Health Department has now directed to close all Covid level 1 facilities in the state because of a drop in occupancy in these centers. The patients, admitted to the level-1 facilities, will be shifted to the government-run Level-2 centers.
There are about 8,000 beds at 24 level-1 centers. Civil surgeons in these facilities have been asked to relieve medical and non-medical staff.
Meanwhile, Punjab's tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to 1,19,186 on Monday as 1,062 more people tested positive for the disease, while the state's death toll breached to 3,641 with 38 more fatalities, as per the medical bulletin. The number of active cases in the state stands at 12,897.
However, this closure indicates that the State government is all set for its upcoming elections. Somehow, it is preparing its natives to live with the virus and continue doing their chores.