PUNE: The state ramped up Covid-19 testing through the month of July by almost 103%. Data released by the medical education and drugs department revealed that the number of tests at the start of the month was 9.9 lakh, which increased to 21.3 lakh by July 31.
State officials said the increase in testing, which causes the patient pool to expand, was done to lower two key indicators — positivity and mortality rates.
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However, despite the increased testing, the positivity rate in July actually showed a slight increase. It was nearly 19.8% by July 31 compared to 18.7% at the start of the month.
According to the WHO, a positivity rate of less than 5% — for two weeks — indicate