Pune’s weekly positivity rate twice of state, but experts say don’t worry

According to the state health department report, which was presented in the cabinet meeting on Thursday, Maharashtra’s weekly positivity rate (WPR) is at 24 per cent. Nagpur (45 per cent), Pune (42 per cent), Nashik (41 per cent) are among the top three districts with a WPR twice that of the state. Mumbai (9 per cent) and Thane (16 per cent) are among the 13 districts whose WPR is less than the state average.

In the third week (January 13-19), there were 71,537 Covid-19 infections in the Pune district, while there was a 25 per cent rise in infections during January 20-26 when 89,585 Covid cases were reported from the district. The district registered its peak of third wave on January 24 when 93,642 active patients were in its jurisdiction with almost half of them from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) area.

On Wednesday, 12,371 patients were cured of disease while 11,358 new cases were detected on Thursday while seven succumbed to the infection. Thus, the active cases reduced from 92,973 on Wednesday to 91,953 on Thursday.

However, in Pune city, doctors at Deenanath Mangeshkar hospital — one of the largest hospitals treating Covid patients — said that they have noted a decline in new cases. Dr Dhananjay Kelkar, Medical Director at the hospital said that they had already passed the Covid-19 third wave peak in the city. “There is already a decline of cases on a daily basis and by next week, our numbers should drop to 1,000,” he said.

Meanwhile, for the third consecutive day, the active Covid-19 caseload continued to reduce in Pune district despite the high daily positivity rate.

Mayor Murlidhar Mohol has tested positive for the infection and has gone into home isolation. “I have tested positive for Covid. All those who came in my contact should take care and get tested,” Mohol said.

Over 4,000 new cases were registered in the PMC area on Thursday. The active cases have dropped down to 41,173 after 7,410 patients were cured of the infection. Also, five patients succumbed to the infection in the day taking the overall tally to 9,214, so far.

Weather conditions, however, may have an impact as Pune has a cooler climate. “The fall in Covid-19 infections may not be as steep as Mumbai and we may continue to see cases specially with schools reopening,” Dr Amit Dravid, an infectious diseases specialist said.