The active Covid-19 caseload in Ranchi dropped below 2000 on Thursday as Jharkhand reported a single-day-spike of less than 500 cases after almost two-and-a-months, data compiled by the state health department highlighted.

Meanwhile, Covid recoveries outnumbered fresh cases, bringing the active caseload in the state close to 7500, but at least 10 casualties took the Covid toll to 5021 in the state, a bulletin released by the National Health Mission (NHM) stated.

As per NHM data, the state reported 427 fresh cases of Covid-19 against 1103 recoveries and the active caseload dropped to 7537. None of the 24 districts in the state reported a triple-digit-spike in cases on the day. At least 48 people were found infected in Ranchi, which was the highest among all the districts. East Singhbhum reported 43 fresh cases of Covid-19, while 46 residents were found infected by Coronavirus in Dhanbad.

Ranchi and East Singhbhum – the two districts with highest Covid casualties so far – reported two Covid deaths each on Thursday. As per NHM data, the Covid toll in Ranchi jumped to 1566 on the day, while that in East Singhbhum reached 1014. However, both these districts saw a drop in active caseload. At least 172 recoveries brought the active caseload down to 1,995 in Ranchi, while the active caseload dropped to 839 in East Singhbhum as at least 148 Covid patients recovered.

Jharkhand reported a daily Covid positivity rate of less than 1 per cent for the second consecutive day as less than 500 of 51,125 people tested were found infected. As per government data, the Covid growth rate in the state also dropped to 0.19 per cent against the national average of 0.37 per cent, while the recovery rate rose to 96.30 per cent against the national average of 92.80 per cent.

However, the Covid-19 fatality rate in Jharkhand continued to be higher than the national average. As per NHM data, at least 1.47 per cent of the over 3.39 lakh state residents infected by Coronavirus so far have died. The national Covid mortality rate, as per NHM data, was 1.20 per cent on Thursday.

Among other districts, Bokaro reported 33 cases against 49 recoveries, while Hazaribag reported 29 cases against 58 recoveries. Only one person was found infected in Pakur while two Covid patients recovered there. Khunti witnessed a spike in active caseload as only one patient recovered there while 10 people were found infected.

The state on Thursday administered the first dose of vaccine against Covid-19 to 32,108 residents and over 20,000 of them were in the age bracket of 18 years to 44 years. The second jab was administered to 4988 beneficiaries on the day, stated a separate report from NHM.