July 30, 2020: 16 states of the country including Assam have bettered Covid recovery rates compared to the national average.

" 16 states of the country have a recovery rate that is more than the national average. Of these, Delhi has recovery rate of 88%, Ladakh 80%, Haryana 78%, Assam 76%, Telangana 74%, Tamil Nadu & Gujarat 73%, Rajasthan 70%, MP 69% and Goa 68%," said R Bhushan, Secretary, Health Ministry.

The recovery rate has shown positive trends. It was 7.85% in April and today it is 64.4%.

Meanwhile, commenting on the vaccine, Bhushan said "COVID19 vaccine, whenever it comes will have to be administered on a much larger scale compared to the existing vaccines. This is something on which there is near unanimity."

He also informed that 3 vaccine candidates are in phase 3 clinical trial. These 3 are in US, UK & China. In India, 2 indigenously developed vaccine candidates are in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. Trial of 1st vaccine involves 1150 subjects at 8 sites, 2nd on 1000 subjects at 5 sites.

On being asked 'has there been a discussion of prioritising how a vaccine would be distributed or administered if & when it becomes available', the official said there were multiple stakeholders within and outside the Govt and the ministry has started actively engaging with such stakeholders.

Bhushan said herd immunity in a country of the size and population of India can't be a strategic option. It can only be achieved through immunisation.

The case fatality rate in India today is 2.21% and it's among the lowest in the world. 24 States and Union Territories  have lesser fatality rate than that of the country. Over 1,81,90,000 tests have been conducted in the country including RT-PCR and rapid antigen tests. There has been week on week increase in average tests per day. India is conducting 324 test per 10 lakhs population per day.