Health Ministry figures indicate a possible reversal of the downward trend in coronavirus infections, showing the rate of positive tests has gone up from 1.8% to 2.1% on Friday, 2.9% yesterday and 4% so far today — a partial figure, but if the final count will be similar it would be the highest positivity rate since October 16.
The basic reproduction number, which has been continuously declining before starting to rise again four days ago, leaps and almost reaches the threshold beyond which the number of active cases is growing, not declining.
The effect these figures will have on the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions remains to be seen.
The data also includes a more encouraging figure: the number of active cases is 9,762, dipping below 10,000 for the first time in months.
The ministry says 219 cases were confirmed yesterday out of 7,662 tests (testing rates typically drop sharply over the weekend), and 329 were identified today by 5:30 p.m. out of 8,133.
The death toll has gone up by 12 since the morning, to 2,553.
The total number of cases since the start of the pandemic is 314,778.
There are 392 serious patients, including 171 on ventilators, and 118 in moderate condition.
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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, November 1, 2020
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