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Also, once again, he assured that the public would be informed if the coronavirus outbreak reached the spread of Stage 3.
Coronavirus pandemic: live updates
Responding to media reports that a government-controlled ICMR study based on randomized sampling tests conducted in patients with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) indicated community transmission, Lav Agarwal, joint secretary of the ministry of Health said that the report addressed studies carried out in areas where the prevalence of the disease was detected and not in new areas and that the positive rate revealed by the report was 1.8%.
“The infection rate is not high, but dynamic”
On Thursday, at least 16,002 samples were analyzed, of which only 320, or 2%, tested positive for Covid-19. Based on the samples collected, we can say that the infection rate is not high, although it is dynamic, “said Lav Agarwal, undersecretary of the health ministry, even when he emphasized the need for social distancing.
Referring to the ICMR study showing that 40% of SARI cases had reported no history of travel or contact, Agrawal said the conclusions cannot be inferred as community transmission because the tests were conducted in areas where there were cases of Covid-19 and people often fail to remember exact events. “This needs more research,” he said.
Government experts said that even a higher incidence of the disease in one area or groups does not necessarily add to community transmission. Multiple groups in an area or city with rapidly multiplying cases and transmission between them equals community transmission in stage 3.
More about Covid-19
Authorities said the government is closely monitoring trends in severe cases of flu and respiratory illnesses, the sale of medications related to these conditions, and ICU admissions. They said that an increasing incidence of the disease cannot be hidden as patients with telltale symptoms will begin to crowd into clinics and hospitals.
Meanwhile, rapid testing was allowed, and sampling also increased from around 5,000 recently to more than 15,000 per day.
Time to mask yourself and stay safe: join TOI’s #MaskIndia campaign
“Today, the challenge is not local or community transmission, but whether we are following all precaution and containment measures. There is still no community broadcast in the country, but we must be vigilant and alert, “he said.
In video: There is still no community broadcast of Covid-19, says the Ministry of Health
