Covid-19: Himachal Pradesh's doubling rate faster at 20.2 days

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 16

The highest number of 188 persons of the total 560, who have tested positive for coronavirus in Himachal, have come from Delhi. The states’ doubling rate is now 20.2 days, which is higher than the national ratio.

The only solace for Himachal, which has witnessed a sudden surge in cases in the last 10 days, is the recovery rate that stands at 61.51 per cent, almost 10 per cent higher than the national percentage of 51.07. The death rate in Himachal is 1.43 per 100, as compared to the national percentage of 2.51 per cent. Himachal has 560 Covid cases — 184 active cases, 358 cured and six deaths.

Meanwhile, four cases (two in Kangra and one each in Mandi and Kinnaur) were reported today.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said efforts had been made to bring back all people belonging to the state who wished to return to their native places. However, they must strictly adhere to the quarantine norms, as they could not be allowed to pose a risk to the lives of others. “As there has been a big spike in the number of Covid cases, the government can become more strict in allowing outsiders to enter the state,” he said.

“Our testing rate per million is 7,328 as compared to the national figure of 3,913 — a total of 56,090 persons have been tested for coronavirus,” said RD Dhiman, Additional Chief Secretary (Health). He added that the positivity rate of HP was 1.07 per cent as compared to 6.6 per cent at the national level, which is a big relief.

The influx of Himachalis, who had permanently settled in other states for business or jobs, continues, leading to a surge in the number of cases in the state.

The second highest number of 168 positive cases were detected among those who had returned from Mumbai, Pune and Thane — these places have been very badly hit by coronavirus.

Six persons, who had returned from abroad, had tested positive for Covid.