Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 1: As compared to last year, the number of Covid positive cases this year has suddenly registered a jump in the Dakshina Kannada district. However, when a comparison is made with the first wave, the death rate continues to be low this time.

The average death rate due to corona last year was 1.79 per cent. This year, the rate is just 0.4 per cent. The spurt in the number of coronavirus cases and the death of only a few patients has resulted in a low death rate.

But because of the jump in the number of Covid positive cases in the district, the positivity rate continues to be around 25. In the middle of the month of May, the rate had touched 33 per cent. The positivity rate is calculated every week. Currently, the positivity rate stands at 24.25 as compared to 1.2 per cent during the first wave last year. During the first wave, the rate had gone up during August and September.

After the lockdown was announced, people have been taking care and the positivity rate is coming down, says district health officer, Dr Kishore Kumar. The positivity rate had touched 35 per cent a few days back. After primary contacts and testing of people with symptoms were given more prominence, the rate is coming down. Because of the high rate of vaccination in the district, there is hope that the disease will slowly ease out and fall under control.

For the people in the age group of over 60, the first dose has been administered to 61 per cent of people and the second dose to 42 per cent. In the age group from 45 to 60, 32 per cent have been administered the first dose while 17 per cent have got the second dose.

Udupi also is showing good progress in positivity rate, which came down to 19 per cent from the previous week's 35 per cent. Deputy commissioner, G Jagadeesha, hopes that the rate can be brought to 10 per cent if the people continue to cooperate in this way.