Covid-19 Cases: Decline in progression after five days

New Delhi: India reported its first decline in the progression rate of Covid-19 cases in five days. The graph had been rising sharply since March 29 and cases doubled in a day on March 31. On Thursday, 328 new cases were reported, down from 386 on Wednesday. The total number of confirmed cases across 29 states is 1,965.

The earlier decline in progression rate was on March 29, when new cases fell from 106 to 92. The surge in numbers was seen after the Tablighi Jamaat in Nizamuddin area of Delhi. The health ministry, however, said positive cases linked to the convention would increase. It also said kidney patients undergoing dialysis were at a higher risk of contracting Covid-19.

Guidelines to states for kidney disease stage-5 patients said that they should undergo dialysis. “Patients on regular dialysis should adhere to prescribed schedule and not miss dialysis sessions to avoid any emergency dialysis,” the guidelines said as such patients were vulnerable because of co-morbidities, repeated exposure to hospitals and immuno suppressed state. “These patients are, therefore, not only more prone to acquire infection but also develop severe diseases as compared to general population,” the ministry said.


States were asked to earmark at least one haemodialysis facility as a preparatory fixed-point dialysis unit in case of surge in Covid-19 cases. Dialysis patients’ hospital papers should act as a curfew pass to travel to dialysis facility, the ministry guidelines said. The facility should have a screening area for Covid-19 symptoms and only then be allowed inside.