As on Friday, there are 980 COVID-19 cases in Punemunicipal limits and 64 people have died of the infection,they said.
"The number of cases may be increasing but the numberof deaths are going down. While mortality rate on April 17 was9.18 per cent, it is 6.5 per cent, (64 deaths out of 980cases), as on April 24," said Pune Municipal CommissionerShekhar Gaikwad.
However, worryingly, the 6.5 per cent death rate isstill higher than the Maharashtra numbers, which stand at 4.8per cent, or the national average of 3.2 as on April 24.
Gaikwad said the mortality rate had got better due toimprovement in contact tracing.
"Suppose out of 30 samples, 8 results come positive,within four to five hours, the high-risk contacts of positivepersons are being traced and placed in quarantine," he said,adding that emphasis on house to house surveys in hotspots andearly detection of cases were also ensuring the deaths fromthe infection were going down.
"To ease pressure on Sassoon Hospital, non-criticaland asymptomatic COVID-19 cases have been shifted to otherfacilities. This is making more beds available in Sassoon," hesaid.
Of the 64 deaths, Sassoon accounts for 50, as per PMCdata.
Meanwhile, Dr Subhash Salunkhe, technical adviser tothe government on pandemic control, said a decision todistribute hydroxychloroquine tablets in the hotspots will betaken on Monday.
Pune Divisional Commissioner Deepak Mhaisekar saidquarantine facilities have been made for people living incongested homes and areas, and asked people with comorbiditiesto take extra care. SPKBNM BNM