Bhubaneswar: The rate of positivity of COVID-19 among the population of Odisha has increased by two times within a few days. Besides, the daily growth rate of the patients has surpassed the national average.
According to the figure furnished by the Health and Family Welfare department, 5,317 samples were tested on Saturday and 469 results were positive for COVID-19. Similarly, 495 of 5,567 tests conducted on Friday were positive which accounts for 8.89 per cent.
As per the data, the positivity rate took an upward climb in the second half of June. The positive cases per 100 tests went up to 8.82 from 4.78 on June 30. In fact, the highest single day jump was registered on June 20 when 6.56 per cent was registered.
On the daily growth rate, Odisha has surpassed the national average of 3.56 per cent by recording 5.45 per cent. The state reported 508 cases on an average every day in the last three days.
What is alarming is that the positive cases from the local contacts has witnessed a steep rise. Of 1,525 cases registered in the last three days, 428 are from the local contacts.
Though the state government has dispelled the possibility of community spread, and is planning to increase the testing capacity to 6,500 per day, the figures call for emergency measures.
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