Whereas a higher number in two years can give an impression that these states have been the most affected covidTheir better reporting system could actually save more lives, said a leading expert.
Maharashtra, where 9.3% of India’s population lives, accounts for 18.8% of the cases and 28.9% of all COVID deaths reported in the country so far. KeralaWith only 2.8% of India’s population, 14.3% of all cases and 10.6% of deaths have occurred.
In contrast, Uttar Pradesh, the country’s most populous state, where 16.5% of Indians live, has recorded only 4.9% of all cases and 4.7% of deaths. Similarly, Bihar accounts for 8.6% of the country’s population, with barely 2% of Covid cases in India and 2.5% of deaths so far.
“People in all parts of India are equally susceptible to coronavirus. While there may be some variation in infection rates over a short period, there is only one explanation for such a difference over a two-year period – Maharashtra and the southern states are doing a better job of detecting and reporting cases than others. ,” said Dr Shahid JameelVirologist and former head of the Scientific Advisory Group of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortia (INSACOG).
“If you don’t test, and testing Well, you won’t get cases and provide institutional care,” he said.
The disproportionately under-detection of COVID cases and reporting of deaths is not limited to UP and Bihar. This trend extends throughout north and central India with the exception of Delhi. For example, Bengal (7.5% of India’s population) has reported 4.9% of the cases and 4.2% of COVID deaths in the country.
Madhya Pradesh’s numbers are more skewed. With a 6% share in the population, the state accounts for 2.3% of all cases and 2.1% of all deaths in the country. Gujarat is home to 5% of India’s population, but has recorded 2.8% of cases and 2.1% of all deaths. Similarly, Rajasthan Rajasthan (5.7% of the population) is responsible for 2.9% of cases and 1.9% of deaths.
Delhi with a predominantly urban population is an exception to this trend. Accounting for 1.4% of the country’s population, the capital has accounted for 4.5% of cases and 5.2% of Covid deaths in India. The case of Punjab is interesting. The state, which has 2.3% of India’s population, has a high proportion of deaths (3.5%), while the number of infections detected is low (2.3%).
While fewer cases and deaths look good on paper, are states paying the price for less testing? “Yes”, says Dr. Jameel. “Consistently reporting low number of cases is not a batch of good governance. Better reporting systems in Maharashtra and the South have prevented deaths through early detection. In many northern states, the proportion of COVID deaths is unlikely to be very high. ,
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