Only 6.39% Covid-19 cases needed hospital support; recovery rate now at 40%

Total count at 1,06,750, of which 61,149 are active. Some 6.9% of those under treatment are critical; death toll at 3,303

India saw a record jump of more than 5,600 Covid-19 cases in a single day, taking the total confirmed cases to 106,750, even as nearly 40 per cent of the total patients were reported as ‘cured’ by the health ministry on Wednesday.
 

There are 61,149 active cases in India, of which 6.9 per cent require oxygen, ventilator support or intensive care unit treatment, while 42,297 have been cured.
 

India had witnessed 3,303 Covid-19 deaths till Wednesday morning.
 

The Indian Council of Medical Research is also reviewing the use of antimalarial drug HCQ (hydroxychloroquine) as a prophylactic by health workers and those in close contact with affected cases.

 

On whether the use of the drug would be dropped after concerns were raised around its effectiveness and safety, Raman R Gangakhedkar, head, epidemiology and communicable diseases division, ICMR, said, “We are gathering evidence, based on which a decision will be taken.”

The total number of tests conducted in the country has crossed 2.5 million, with more than 100,000 tests being conducted in the last two days, revealed ICMR data.

Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry, said India has fared better, compared to the top 10 countries with maximum Covid-19 cases in terms of total incidence and fatalities.

Globally, 62 people per 100,000 are being infected. In India, the figure is much lower at 7.9.

India is the 10th highest in terms of total deaths reported by the countries.
 

“In countries such as Spain and the US, more than 400 people per 100,000 have been infected,” said Agarwal.
 

He also said that the total population of the 15 most affected countries is around 1.42 billion, against India’s population of 1.37 billion.

 

 “These 15 countries together have reported more than 3.6 million cases. With nearly the same population in India, we have seen just over a 100,000 cases to date. In terms of deaths, the top 15 countries account for 270,000 deaths. In India, the figure is 3,303,” added Agarwal.