Coronavirus In India: Low Death Rate, A Matter Of Relief

Coronavirus In India: The sharp spike in COVID-19 cases in India does not augur well for the economy as also from the standpoint of public health as we look at the months to come. The countrywide number rose to 6654 cases on Friday, the highest yet, with the total count going beyond 1,25,000.

Experts, however, point out that this spike in numbers was expected especially in the light of the easing of lockdown restrictions as also the movement of migrant workers in large numbers. The other significant point to be factored is the increase in testing which is likely to be upped further in the weeks to come.

India's record of low deaths is a matter of immense relief. Compared to most of the other countries the death rate in India is around 3%. In its management of keeping the fatalities low, India has done a commendable job so far.

While the case to death ratio is 6.29 for UK it is 39.18 for India, closer to Germany's 37.27 and Italy's 7.18, for instance, as media outlets have pointed out.

There are several questions being asked as to why the mortality rate in India has been low. Is the BCG vaccine administered across the country for tuberculosis the prime reason? Is it hot tropical climate which seems to weaken the virus? Has India been struck by a weaker strain of the virus? Are the natural immunity levels of India's rural and young population high? Is it simply a combination of all of these factors? It will take time for researchers to unravel the mystery, but one thing is for certain—India has been able to control the loss of lives and this is where its success rests.